Sitting 71 — December 10, 2025

The sitting was marked by extensive debate on Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, at report stage, where dozens of amendments were considered. The bill, originally introduced as Bill C-2, had been substantially revised in committee. Green Party and NDP members moved multiple amendments seeking to delete clauses they argued would violate international human rights obligations, particularly around the treatment of asylum seekers and the safe third country agreement. The government moved its own amendments to refine provisions including voluntary departure and refugee claim procedures. Conservative members focused their interventions on the border security aspects, arguing the bill did not go far enough to address organized crime and extortion while the government had failed to hire the promised 1,000 new CBSA officers quickly enough.

Question Period featured sustained questioning on the potential appointment of Mark Wiseman, co-founder of the Century Initiative—which advocates for increasing Canada's population to 100 million—as Canada's ambassador to the United States. The Opposition Leader and Bloc Québécois members characterized Wiseman's views on immigration as radical and questioned whether he was an appropriate choice for the country's most important diplomatic posting. The government responded that the Century Initiative's proposals had never been and would never be government policy, while praising outgoing ambassador Kirsten Hillman's service. The exchanges broadened into a wider debate on immigration levels and housing affordability.

The economy and food prices remained central themes. Conservatives cited rising food bank usage, the 2026 Food Price Report showing grocery bills would increase by $1,000 for the average family, and the Prime Minister's nearly $800,000 chartered flight to Egypt. Liberal members countered by listing affordability measures including the middle-class tax cut, the Canada child benefit indexed to inflation, and the national school food program. Other Question Period topics included the Canada-Alberta MOU and pipeline politics, the Stellantis auto contract dispute, climate policy following a former environment minister's criticism of the government's direction, and the government's bid to host the 2028 Sommet de la Francophonie. The evening featured second reading of Bill S-227, the Arab Heritage Month Act, and adjournment proceedings on natural resources and the pipeline debate.