Carney goes head-to-head with Poilievre as they return to House of Commons

Playing null of undefined

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Prime Minister Mark Carney went head-to-head with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre during question period Monday as MPs returned to the House of Commons for its fall sitting for the first time since June.

In his opening remarks, Carney welcomed Poilievre back to the House, but the levity between the two didn’t last long as they engaged in heated debate.

Here’s everything that happened on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.

2:50 p.m. EDT: Mulcair on how the leaders did

In his analysis of how the leaders fared in their first question period faceoff, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair said Prime Minister Mark Carney seemed to be caught off guard by the format a few times and stumbled when answering questions, specifically by how quickly he needs to formulate answers.

But he said he expects Carney to improve over time. He added that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre seemed to be holding back on the first day, judging from how he’s comported himself in the past.

One rookie minister whom Mulcair noted was impressive in his debut was Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, the former mayor of Vancouver. Despite his rookie status, Mulcair noted Robertson is also a seasoned politician, and “boy does it show when he stands up to give his answers.”

All in all, Mulcair said it was a “very interesting question period,” adding that there will surely be “lots more sparks in the days and weeks ahead.”

Phil Hahn, CTV News special projects producer

2:35 p.m. EDT: MPs give standing ovation for Charlie Kirk

MPs at the House of Commons gave a standing ovation for the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk after Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, representing Lethbridge, Alta., discussed the importance of freedom of speech.

“May we be honourable in our actions. May we fiercely defend the right of our opponents to speak freely, and may we join our hearts with Charlie’s family: his wife Erika and his two young children. Rest in peace,” Thomas said, followed by a roar of applause.

Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist

2:30 p.m. EDT: Carney welcomes Poilievre back to the House

Carney, in his opening remarks, welcomed Poilievre back to the House of Commons.

“I’m sure I speak for all parliamentarians in welcoming the member for Battle River—Crowfoot back to the House of Commons,” Carney said.

“He may notice a few things have changed since he was here last,” Carney added, pointing to a “spirit of collaboration” in the House in last June, and legislation that was passed during the four-week sitting.

Poilievre lost the Ottawa-area seat he’d held for two decades in the April election, but won back a spot in an August by-election. He now represents the rural Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, and said during question period that Carney may regret letting voters there head back to the polls so quickly, now that the two will be squaring off in the House.

The conviviality between Carney and Poilievre didn’t last long, with the Conservative leader pivoting quickly to accuse the prime minister of “breaking promises, making excuses, running massive deficits with costs, crime and chaos out of control.”

“Mr. Speaker, when will the prime minister match the grand promises with the real change Canadians need?” Poilievre said.

Spencer Van Dyk, CTV News journalist

2:23 p.m. EDT: MPs begin debating

Elected officials have officially returned to the House of Commons as they begin to set the agenda at their first question period of the fall sitting.

MPs across the aisle take turns addressing Speaker of the House Francis Scarpaleggia as they participate in debates.

Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist

1:08 p.m. EDT: N.L. election called for Oct. 14

Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador will be heading to the polls on Oct. 14.

Liberal Leader John Hogan visited the lieutenant-governor’s residence this afternoon to ask her to dissolve the legislature.

Hogan is seeking his first election win as premier after he won the Liberal leadership race in May.

He will face a tough battle against Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham.

The Canadian Press

12:15 p.m. EDT: Protesters at House of Commons

Parliamentarians will be met by a few dozen protesters when they walk into the House of Commons for the first question period of the fall session.

A banner held by protesters reads, “Liberal corrupt gov’t must go!!!”

Judy Trinh, CTV National News correspondent

11:51 a.m. EDT: Bloc leader on fall budget

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters in French that Quebec’s fundamental issues remain immigration, preserving language and secularism.

He adds that Trump’s tariffs are still top of mind for his province, saying, “It will be an interesting agenda this fall.”

When asked if he thinks the deficit projected in the fall budget will reach $100 billion, Blanchet said, “It looks very bad.”

Carney has signalled that the deficit this year will be bigger than the last, partly due to U.S. tariffs.

“I don’t see how we can approve a budget that would be so big,” Blanchet said. “We don’t have the figures yet that would surpass what (former prime minister) Justin Trudeau had.”

“So don’t ask me ‘How you would vote on the budget, this way or that way.’ We’re going to look at what are the different issues, we’ll analyze them as a caucus and then we’ll make our decisions.”

Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist

11:38 a.m. EDT: Lantsman lays out Conservative priorities

Deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman stopped to speak to reporters on her way into West Block Monday morning, outlining her party’s priorities, calling them “the priorities of Canadians.”

“We still have an immigration crisis, we have a housing crisis, we have a cost-of-living crisis,” she said.

“We are going to oppose the government where it makes sense, we’re going to support things that make sense, and we’re going to expose what they’re not telling us.

”Canada’s 45th Parliament has a largely two-party makeup, with the governing Liberals just a few seats shy of a majority, and the opposition Conservatives picking up two dozen new seats in the April election.

Spencer Van Dyk, CTV News journalist

10 a.m. EDT: MacKinnon outlines agenda

MacKinnon briefly outlined the Liberal government’s agenda Monday morning.

One of the first tasks facing Carney’s government is to shore up support for the coming austerity budget, due to be introduced next month, which MacKinnon said will include a “substantial” deficit.

MacKinnon acknowledged the minority government will need opposition support to pass other legislation, such as the controversial border security bill, and said it will listen to “constructive criticism” and “responsible alternative policies.”

The Liberals and Conservatives did work together in the spring to pass the government’s major projects legislation. The first projects to be fast-tracked under that legislation were announced last week.

There are still wide gaps between the Liberals and Conservatives on other policy areas, including criminal justice.

The Canadian Press

9:57 a.m. EDT: House Leader calls on Poilievre to be more collaborative

MacKinnon is calling on Poilievre to be more collaborative in Parliament and to work with the government.

“Listen to premiers like Danielle Smith, Doug Ford and Tim Houston who are pitching in,” said MacKinnon, referencing some of the Conservative premiers who have spoken about working with the Carney government in recent weeks.

Mike Le Couteur, CTV National News correspondent

9:42 a.m. EDT: MacKinnon speaks to reporters

Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon said the first opposition day will be this week, where Conservatives will have the chance to set the agenda and choose the subject for debate.

He commented while speaking to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons just ahead of the restart of the fall parliamentary session.

MacKinnon also made mention of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and how Canada plans on tackling the issue.

“The actions taken by the United States have not simply created a transformation of the global trading system. It is a rupture,” he said.

“Canada will respond by diversifying its trade and its capacity to trade worldwide.”

He also highlighted Carney’s housing announcement on Sunday.

Mike Le Couteur, CTV National News correspondent, Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist