Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faced off for the first time since June as Parliament resumed on Monday, kicking off what promises to be a fiery fall sitting. In a packed House of Commons, Carney welcomed Poilievre back with a lighthearted remark before the tone quickly shifted, with the Tory leader accusing the Liberals of “breaking promises, making excuses, running massive deficits with costs, crime and chaos out of control.”
Poilievre, who recently returned to Parliament after winning a byelection in rural Alberta, wasted little time challenging Carney on the government’s ballooning deficit and failure to deliver a spring budget. Carney, appearing measured but occasionally on the defensive, pledged to balance operational spending within three years while continuing to invest in housing and national priorities.
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, offering post-question period analysis, said Carney appeared to be adjusting to the fast-paced exchanges, stumbling a few times but likely to improve with experience. Mulcair noted that Poilievre, known for his combative style, seemed to be “holding back a little bit,” hinting that the most heated exchanges are yet to come. Housing Minister Gregor Robertson was singled out as a standout performer, delivering polished responses in his first question period appearance.
The sitting was not without drama. MPs gave a standing ovation for late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, and outside, protesters greeted parliamentarians with banners calling for the Liberal government to resign.
With a tough austerity-leaning budget coming next month, a controversial border security bill on the horizon, and lingering tensions over U.S. tariffs, the fall session is shaping up to be a test of Carney’s ability to manage a minority government and keep public opinion on his side — all while fending off a re-energized Poilievre eager to position himself as prime minister-in-waiting.