Sitting 39 — October 20, 2025

The sitting was dominated by second reading debate on Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, which would expand border security resources, grant new lawful access and postal inspection powers, and tighten anti-money-laundering provisions. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree introduced the bill as a successor to Bill C-2, emphasizing that three new elements—lawful access, postal services, and the $10,000 money-laundering threshold—were critical tools for law enforcement. Conservative members questioned the bill's privacy implications, particularly the prospect of postal workers inspecting mail, while the Bloc Québécois stressed the need for thousands of additional border officers. The debate also touched on the government's broader border strategy, including RCMP funding and Coast Guard surveillance in northern Canada.

Private Members' Business featured Bill C-225, an Act to amend the Criminal Code proposed by Conservative MP Frank Caputo that would create a specific offence for assault of an intimate partner. Caputo argued that his decade of experience as a Crown prosecutor informed the bill and described it as non-partisan, but Liberal members pushed back, and the bill did not attract government support. The exchange grew heated, with accusations of partisanship and heckling over the government's record on intimate partner violence.

Question period centred on the economy, taxation, and the automotive sector, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre hammering the government over rising food prices, Liberal taxes, and the Stellantis decision to move Brampton production to the United States. The government defended its record by pointing to the school food program, tax cuts for 22 million Canadians, and efforts to hold Stellantis legally accountable. Other topics included hate speech, softwood lumber tariffs, employment in the Ring of Fire region, and a request for an emergency debate on the Stellantis layoffs by NDP MP Don Davies. The adjournment proceedings covered international trade, justice, and housing.