Liberals Say Committees Need Order and Balance as Opposition Decries Debate Shutdown

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 24, 2026. The Canadian Press/Justin TangGovernment House Leader Steven MacKinnon defended his party taking several House of Commons committee deliberations private as Conservatives denounced the move as an “abuse of power.”Since the Liberals passed a motion in the House on April 27 to amend the standing orders and take control of committees, they have voted to move discussions during four committee meetings “in camera,” shielding discussions from the public.