Sitting 72 — December 11, 2025

The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, which occupied most of Government Orders. The central political argument pitted the government and opposition parties over border security, immigration enforcement, and bail reform, with the Conservatives accusing the Liberals of failing to deliver on promises and the Liberals accusing the Conservatives of obstructing legislation.

Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, was debated at length and ultimately passed third reading on division. The bill would amend the Customs Act, Oceans Act, and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to strengthen border security, combat transnational organized crime and money laundering, and modernize immigration processing, including a one-year bar on refugee claims. The Liberal government argued the bill gives law enforcement necessary tools and modernizes the system. The Conservatives supported the bill but criticized it as incomplete, noting the government had not yet hired the 1,000 promised CBSA officers and that their proposed amendments—such as automatic deportation for serious criminals and rejecting asylum claims from those convicted of serious offences—were rejected. The Bloc Québécois supported the bill's principle but raised concerns about staffing shortages at the CBSA and argued the government could allow officers to patrol between border crossings without legislation. The NDP opposed the bill strongly, arguing the one-year bar on refugee claims is retroactive, violates international law, and disproportionately harms vulnerable groups like survivors of gender-based violence and LGBTQ2+ individuals; NDP amendments to protect those groups were defeated. The bill passed with the Liberals, Conservatives, and Bloc voting in favour, and the NDP and Green Party voting against.

Earlier, the House adopted a motion providing for the passage of several bills on division. Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians, was deemed read a third time and passed on division. Bill C-13, an act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom to the CPTPP, was deemed read a second time on division and referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade. The House also agreed to adjourn until January 26, 2026.

Oral Questions focused on the economy, justice, and ethics. Conservatives repeatedly criticized the government over rising grocery prices, hidden taxes (including a claimed 7¢-per-litre fuel tax increase), and the cost of living, citing food bank usage and cases of scurvy. They also pressed the government to advance its own bail reform bill (Bill C-14), accusing Liberal members of blocking it at committee. The government responded by accusing the Conservatives of filibustering and blocking crime-fighting legislation, and defended its record by citing the Canada child benefit, dental care, and job creation. On ethics, Conservatives questioned the Major Projects Office's practice of accepting seconded employees from private firms, calling it corrupt, while the government defended it as recruiting talent. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about cuts to homelessness programs and the government's climate policy shift. The NDP asked about indigenous rights and violence against indigenous women.