Bill C-220

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (immigration status in sentencing)

Sponsor

Michelle Rempel  Conservative

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Defeated, as of March 25, 2026

Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-220.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to provide that, in imposing a sentence on an offender who is not a Canadian citizen, a court must not take into consideration the offender’s immigration status in Canada.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-220s:

C-220 (2021) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against a health care worker)
C-220 (2021) Law An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (bereavement leave)
C-220 (2020) An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care leave)
C-220 (2016) An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (balanced representation)

Votes

March 25, 2026 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (immigration status in sentencing)

Debate Summary

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This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-220 amends the Criminal Code to prevent judges from considering an offender's immigration status when determining sentencing, ensuring equal application of the law.

Conservative

  • End two-tiered justice: The party opposes judges using immigration status to issue lenient sentences to non-citizens, preventing deportation for serious crimes like sexual assault.
  • Prohibit immigration status in sentencing: Bill C-220 amends the Criminal Code, explicitly stating courts shall not consider an offender's immigration status when determining a sentence.
  • Address judicial leniency: Numerous examples show judges granting lighter sentences to non-citizens, allowing them to evade deportation for serious offenses, thereby undermining justice.
  • Restore value of Canadian citizenship: Non-citizens who commit crimes should be deported; adherence to the rule of law is a fundamental responsibility for anyone residing in Canada.

Bloc

  • Supports studying the bill: The Bloc supports studying the bill, agreeing with the Supreme Court that immigration status can be one factor in sentencing, allowing for judicial discretion in varying circumstances.
  • Federal integration failures: The party criticizes the federal government for failing to provide adequate funding and resources to provinces for the integration of newcomers, despite setting immigration thresholds.
  • Quebec sovereignty needed: Quebec needs sovereignty to control its immigration policies, set its own thresholds, and manage integration effectively, as current federal decisions create untenable situations for the province.

Liberal

  • Undermines judicial independence: The Liberal Party believes the bill demonstrates a lack of respect for judicial independence and discretion, questioning judges' ability to consider extenuating circumstances.
  • Discriminates against permanent residents: The bill exhibits a lack of respect for permanent residents, implying they should not be treated like Canadians despite long residency, aligning with an anti-immigrant stance.
  • Critiques conservative motivations: Liberals argue the bill is unnecessary, as serious criminals are already deported. They view it as an ideologically driven move by the Conservative Party's far-right faction.
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Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

March 12th, 2026 / 6:20 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec

Pursuing to Standing Order 93, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, March 25, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

The House resumed from March 12 consideration of the motion that Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (immigration status in sentencing), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

March 25th, 2026 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-220, under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #89

Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

March 25th, 2026 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

I declare the motion lost.