Bloc Québécois says it will end House of Commons stalemate if Liberals meet demands

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has expressed a willingness to break the deadlock in the House of Commons and help the government resume its agenda—provided the Liberals make progress on the Bloc’s demands.

Since September 26, parliamentary business has been stalled as Conservative MPs continue debating a motion they insist must be addressed before any other matters can proceed. The Liberals have accused the opposition of engaging in filibustering.

The Conservatives are demanding that the Liberals release documents concerning Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a federal agency shut down in June following an auditor general report highlighting serious management issues.

However, the Liberals argue that providing such documents to the RCMP could jeopardize the investigation and violate Charter protections related to due process.

As the debate entered its 13th sitting day on Tuesday, Blanchet told reporters he would support a closure motion to end the Conservative-led debate—on the condition that the Liberals act quickly on the Bloc’s demands.

Blanchet has set a deadline of October 29 for the Liberals to meet two key demands: passing a bill to increase pensions for some seniors and another bill to protect supply-managed agricultural sectors from trade concessions. He warned that if the demands are not met, the Bloc may consider collaborating with the Conservatives and the NDP to bring down the government.

"A Rude Awakening"

"I invite the government, which is being eroded from the outside and from within, to focus at least a little on managing the country’s affairs. Because I get the sense there’s no longer a functioning government," Blanchet said in French.

"We are still trying to ensure something concrete and constructive happens in the House of Commons. So I urge them to wake up—and make no mistake about how we’ll act when the deadline comes."

Blanchet also criticized the government’s priorities and suggested that his demands were not at the forefront for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"It’s none of my business," he said. "But the prime minister steps off a plane from Asia and faces decisions about resignation, proroguing Parliament, calling an election, meeting our demands, or trying to restore peace within his own caucus."

"He’s dealing with an overwhelming load, and in that context, I can’t help but remind the government that time is running out."

Bill C-319: A Sticking Point

One of the Bloc’s key demands, Bill C-319, which aims to increase pensions for some seniors, received unanimous support at the committee stage but is awaiting third reading.

However, even if the bill passes the House, it might not become law. As it involves increasing government spending—around $3 billion annually—it requires a royal recommendation, meaning a cabinet minister would need to approve it. Without this approval, the bill would become inadmissible after passing the House.

On October 1, the Bloc introduced a nonbinding motion urging government support for the bill. The motion passed with support from the Conservatives, NDP, Greens, and five Liberal backbenchers, though most Liberals voted against it.

Proposal to Expedite Bills

Blanchet suggested the government could reintroduce both bills as official government legislation, which would allow them to move through the House more quickly under limited debate and take priority in the Senate.

“We’ve conveyed this possibility,” Blanchet said in French, referring to discussions between Bloc House leader Alain Therrien and Liberal House leader Karina Gould. "I understand the first step would be receiving the wording for the bills—even though they’re essentially ours, drafted by the same team. But I haven't received anything yet."

Gould was unavailable for comment on Tuesday, while Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed ongoing discussions with the Bloc and NDP but did not clarify whether the Liberals would adopt the Bloc’s proposal.

Blanchet stressed the urgency of resolving the Conservative standoff to allow progress on the bills.

"If the Conservative blockade in the House is lifted, this can still happen," he said in French. "But we need to see something on paper within the next few hours. Otherwise, it will be dangerously tight to meet the deadline."