Chase Tribble

As MPs, ministers, and staff return to Ottawa this week after the summer break and caucus retreats, the legislative calendar will resume in full force, with key parliamentary committees serving as essential conduits for parties’ fall priorities.

A New Committee Dynamic
Committees will look quite different this year compared to previous parliamentary sessions, with the notable absence of the NDP. The NDP’s dismal performance in the last federal election resulted in them not achieving official party status. As such, they do not meet the threshold to participate in parliamentary committees. Why does this matter? While Liberals and Conservatives hold the majority of committee members, aside from one Bloc Québécois member, the NDP will be notably absent.

In the previous parliamentary session, the NDP and the Liberals entered into a supply agreement, which allowed the governing Liberals to move forward with key legislation as long as certain conditions, such as the implementation of pharmacare, were progressed in the legislative calendar. Without a dance partner to help move studies through committee, the focus may shift to opposition (CPC and Bloc) studies rather than the governing Liberals’ agenda. Moreover, if the Liberals want to expedite specific bills while both the Bloc and the CPC disagree with them, the opposition can create procedural headaches for the government in the form of amendments and new studies.

With this new dynamic at play, it will be interesting to see how the government handles committees, particularly those where Conservatives are pushing hard on affordability, immigration, and crime.

Standing Committee on Finance
With the cost of living rising for Canadians and the escalating trade war with the United States threatening thousands of jobs, all eyes will be on the finance committee come October when the Liberals table their first budget under the new Carney regime. Carney has directed several departments to reduce spending and instructed ministers to implement cost-saving measures to shrink the size of government and create efficiencies.

Finance Critic Jasraj Singh Hallan, a rising star in Conservative circles, will have plenty to review and oppose when the budget is studied at committee, including new spending measures for policies like tariff relief packages and support for workers affected by the trade war.

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
The immigration committee may be the biggest battleground of all. It features Michelle Rempel Garner, one of the strongest CPC critics, known for her clear communication and razor-sharp questioning. Rempel Garner has already clashed with Immigration Minister Lena Diab, as seen in their House of Commons debate on international students.

The Conservatives will also be promoting a policy proposal to end the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada, aiming to address the country’s high youth unemployment rates. In addition, they will advocate for lower immigration numbers to alleviate strain on the housing and healthcare systems.

Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
This committee will focus on a key issue that helped Conservatives win in urban ridings and cost the Liberals their majority: crime. The Carney government recently announced plans to introduce legislation to tighten the bail system after a decade of rising crime and limited federal action.

In contrast, the Conservatives are set to introduce their Jail Not Bail Act, which aims to reform Canada’s bail system and enhance public safety. Justice Critic Larry Brock, a former Assistant Crown Attorney and effective communicator on Liberal inaction, will lead the charge to ensure legislative proposals address Canada’s escalating crime wave.

Poilievre Back in the House
With the House of Commons resuming, Conservatives will also have Pierre Poilievre back to press the government on the cost of living, crime, and immigration. Last spring, the Conservatives showed they were willing to work with the Liberals on issues such as major projects and an income tax cut for Canadians—clear wins for the public.

Poilievre has already told Carney to “steal his ideas,” but he is expected to be far more aggressive in grilling the Liberal government this fall. With the NDP sidelined and an emboldened Conservative opposition, committees may become the real stage for the season’s political battles.

Chase Tribble is a Senior Consultant at Counsel Public Affairs and a regular political commentator.