As the House of Commons and its occupants prepare to powers down for the traditional mid-May hiatus, the no-longer-minority Liberals have tentatively set aside two full days for opposition-initiated debate.

First up: The Bloc Québécois, who, barring a last-minute programming change, are set to seize temporary control of the chamber on Tuesday, and have already served notice of two non-binding motions — one, standing in the name of the party’s finance critic, Gabriel Ste-Marie, that would, if adopted, have the House “condemn the imposition of new United States tariffs that came into force on April 6, 2026, as contrary to the principles of free trade,” and “call on the government to take all necessary measures without delay to mitigate the impact of these unjustified tariffs, including providing direct support to affected businesses and workers in Quebec and Canada, until a trade agreement with the United States is restored.”

The second, which was put forward by Patrick Bonin, would “condemn the fact that the economic update entrenches Canada’s shift toward oil and gas,” if passed, would “acknowledge that the government of Canada has given up in the fight against climate change.”

As per longstanding parliamentary tradition, the party will have until Monday afternoon to decide which motion to bring forward for debate — and, ultimately, a vote — the following day.

Later this week, the Conservatives will clock in their third designated supply day, although as yet, there’s no word on how they plan to use the time. (Thursday)

Also on the docket: The government is aiming to wrap up report stage debate on Defence Minister David McGuinty’s proposal to overhaul the military justice system, which is expected to resume tomorrow.

On Wednesday, MPs will circle back to Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s omnibus pitch to roll out measures included in his inaugural Spring Economic Update. During the opening round of debate last week, the Conservatives put forward an amendment that, if adopted, would have the House of Commons “decline to give second reading” to the bill, on the grounds that it “reflects the prime minister’s approach to credit-card budgeting,” a move that, if successful, would constitute an expression of non-confidence and would likely trigger an election, although with the Liberals now controlling a working majority in the chamber, it will almost certainly go down to defeat when it eventually goes to a vote.

As yet, there’s no word on when Prime Minister Mark Carney will be back in his front-and-centre seat in the chamber, although it won’t be before Tuesday afternoon at the earliest, as he’s set to spend the next two days on the high-level diplomatic circuit at the European Political Community Summit in Armenia. (Saturday through Monday)

Carney will be the “first non-European leader” to participate in the event, according to his office, and “will meet with European leaders to reinforce collective security and transatlantic defence readiness, while advancing support for Ukraine (and) position Canada as a premier destination for global capital and investment – including in critical minerals, energy, defence, and advanced technologies.”

Also on the radar: Newly installed Parliamentary Budget Officer Annette Ryan and her team are set to publish its preliminary assessment of Champagne’s update, which, as per the notice, will include five separate costing notes on departmental spending and new measures, the economic and fiscal track, fiscal anchors and fiscal sustainability, major capital priorities and the impact of the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax. (Monday a.m.)

Meanwhile, Auditor General Karen Hogan and Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry V. DeMarco will “jointly deliver” five new reports to the House of Commons, including Hogan’s latest findings on “new fiscal initiatives with First Nations” and “accessibility in the public service,” and, from DeMarco, performance audits focused on flood hazard mapping, the “climate resilience of federal assets and services,” and Canada’s response to the avian influenza outbreak. (Monday a.m.)

As has become standard practice, immediately after the documents are tabled in the House of Commons, Hogan and DeMarco will brief PUBLIC ACCOUNTS members on their latest findings. (Monday a.m.)

Meanwhile, over at CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, MPs will cross-examine Citizenship and Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab over an earlier report from Hogan on efforts to reform the International Students Program, which was released in March and found that, although the department “reduced the number of new post-secondary study permits issued,” but “found critical weaknesses in the program’s integrity controls.” (Monday a.m.)

Other ministers making the rounds at committee this week:

• INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY members have blocked off an hour to quiz Industry Minister Mélanie Joly about her government’s current electric vehicle policies before hosting a roundtable discussion on the same topic with senior representatives of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, Dunsky Energy + Climate, Electro-Federation Canada and Global Network for Strategic Effects founder Michael Kovrig. (Monday p.m.)
• Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem fields questions from FINANCE members on the latest monetary policy report. (Monday a.m.)
• Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon presents his government’s proposal to update federal election laws, which is now before PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS. (Tuesday a.m.)
• Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Justice Minister Sean Fraser are set for a joint appearance at PUBLIC SAFETY AND NATIONAL SECURITY as MPs begin reviewing the proposed new lawful access regime, as outlined in legislation tabled by Anandasangaree in March. (Tuesday p.m.)
• Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost briefs ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT members on her government’s “strategy to protect nature.” (Tuesday p.m.)

More from the committee circuit: JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS members circle back to clause-by-clause review of Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s proposal to strengthen the current Criminal Code provisions related to gender-based violence, expand child protection protocols and address concerns raised by court delays. (Monday a.m.)

ACCESS TO INFORMATION, PRIVACY AND ETHICS members go through the proposed budget allocations for the offices of several key independent parliamentary watchdogs — Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein, Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger and Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne — as they review their assigned section of the latest main estimates. (Tuesday/Thursday p.m.)

INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS members continue to examine the fine print of the government’s proposal to overhaul the current Indian Act registration entitlements during back-to-back presentations from Manitoba Sen. Mary Jane McCallum, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chief Jeremiah Johnson and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs secretary Marilyn Slett, as well as a panel of stakeholders that includes former Ulkatcho First Nation chief Lynda Price and her son, retired NHL hockey player Carey Price. (Tuesday a.m.)

The SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS explores the “global impact of transnational repression” with Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China executive director Luke de Pulford, as well as a panel of academic experts, including University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau. (Monday p.m.)

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH members take a closer look at Canada’s “dual use and defence research needs” with senior representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Association, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Industrio AI Inc., Terramera and U15 Canada CEO Robert Asselin (Monday p.m.) as well as Invest Ottawa, RaceRocks and Tech-Access Canada. (Thursday a.m.)

Missing Middle Initiative founding director Mike Moffat and Canadian Home Builders’ Association CEO Kevin Lee will offer their respective perspectives on “housing starts in relation to federal programs” during a one-hour session with HUMAN RESOURCES, SKILLS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT members. (Monday p.m.)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT members will hear from Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign head William Browder, Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights policy director Brandon Silver and a full contingent of senior departmental officials as part of their ongoing study of Conservative MP James Bezan’s backbench pitch to extend the current sanction regime. (Tuesday p.m.)

Also on Tuesday: The SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF POWERS UNDER THE BUILDING CANADA ACT get an progress report from Major Projects Office vice-president Peter Feldberg and general counsel Rob Van Walleghem. (Tuesday p.m.)

In and around the precinct:

• Ukrainian Canadian Congress president Alexandra Chyczij briefs reporters on Ukrainian Canadian Advocacy Day, which, according to the notice, will bring “over 50 delegates (from) across Canada” to meet with “parliamentarians of all parties, ministers and senior staff to advocate for Canada’s support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s genocidal war of aggression,” including “strengthening” defence and commercial ties between the two countries. (Monday a.m.)
• Canadian Health Coalition chair Jason MacLean and representatives of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Friends of Medicare in Alberta and lawyer Emma Phillips release a “new legal opinion” about the Alberta government’s plan to “allow doctors to decide patient-by-patient whether they bill the government or patients privately for medically necessary, publicly insured services,” which, they contend, “allows physicians to ration care based on ability to pay, ushering in a U.S.-style health care system.” (Tuesday a.m.)
• Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will deliver a midday keynote speech at the annual Canada Strong and Free Network summit, which gets rolling on Wednesday and continues through Saturday morning, with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist also on the speaking list. (Thursday a.m.)

Out and about on the ministerial circuit:

After unveiling his first-ever midyear fiscal update last week, Champagne hits the post-reveal promotional hustings in Winnipeg, where, according to his office, he’ll drop by the local Canadian Forces Base to “highlight the government’s federal investments in the defence sector” before joining Manitoba Chambers of Commerce CEO Chuck Davidson for an “armchair discussion” on how he — and his government — “plan to face global uncertainty with fiscal responsibility and strong economic choices.” (Monday)

Later this week, he’ll headline an evening reception at a “private residence” in Westmount, Que., with proceeds from the $1,775 ticket price earmarked to fill the central party coffers. (Thursday p.m.)

Meanwhile, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Abegweit First Nation chief Junior Gould and Prince Edward Island justice minister Bloyce Thompson will share the details of a “milestone agreement” on “multilateral emergency management” at a morning signing ceremony in Scotchfort, P.E.I. (Monday a.m.)

Back in the National Capital Region, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski and her parliamentary secretary, Anthony Housefather, mark the start of Emergency Preparedness Week by flagging new “investments” that will “strengthen emergency response and capacity,” as per the advisory. (Monday a.m.)

Elsewhere in the city, a trio of Team Carney front benchers — Anandasangaree, Miller and Veteran Affairs Minister Jill McKnight — team up  with “key stakeholders, Veterans, and local students” at a “groundbreaking ceremony” to launch what the advisory describes as the “construction phase of the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan.” (Monday p.m.)

Later that same day, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will outline what her office is billing as a “new development related to the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre” that, as per the notice, will “advance Canada’s photonic semiconductor industry.” (Monday p.m.)

For his part, Miller is also booked in to host an evening “celebration” of Asian Heritage Month, which, as per the notice, “will feature performances and inspiring speeches, honouring the achievements and outstanding contributions of Asian communities across Canada.” (Tuesday p.m.) 

Rounding out the rotation, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson will join former Toronto-area Liberal MP Ya’ara Saks at a $1,300-per-ticket fundraiser for the York Centre Federal Liberal Association, which, according to the notice, will be held at a “private residence” in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood. (Friday p.m.)