House of Commons Hansard #72 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was border.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act First reading of Bill S-201. The bill establishes a national framework on sickle cell disease to improve awareness, research, screening, diagnosis, and care standards, particularly for disproportionately affected racialized communities. 200 words.
Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act Report stage of Bill C-12. The bill strengthens Canada's immigration system and borders by amending the Customs Act and Oceans Act to enhance border security and combat transnational organized crime and money laundering. While the Liberal government emphasizes its commitment to hiring 1,000 CBSA officers and modernizing immigration, Conservatives argue the bill is incomplete and fails to address staffing shortages, bail reform, and the chaotic immigration system. The NDP strongly opposes the bill, particularly its one-year bar on refugee claims and what it calls sweeping, unprecedented powers to cancel applications, which they deem a "Trump-style agenda." 15100 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Business of the House Members debate the passage of Bill C-14, which Conservatives link to "fixing Liberal bail". The Liberal House leader offers to pass C-14 and moves to expedite Bills C-4, C-13, and C-12, and adjourn the House. 700 words.
Living Donor Recognition Medal Act Second reading of Bill C-234. The bill establishes a national medal to recognize living organ donors in Canada. Members from various parties support the initiative, highlighting the importance of acknowledging these heroes for their courage, generosity and profound humanity. Proponents believe this recognition will raise awareness and encourage more people to give, ultimately saving lives and reducing transplant waitlists. 3100 words, 25 minutes.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Dave Epp Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member for Winnipeg North in his intervention described himself as only partially biased. He is clearly misleading the House, and I am wondering if you could address—
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
I know there is tongue firmly planted in cheek, but we will leave that for debate.
Resuming debate, the hon. member for Windsor West.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Harb Gill Conservative Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Windsor West, and I am grateful for the privilege they have given me by sending me here to the House.
I rise today not just as a legislator but also as someone who spent nearly three decades in policing. Of those three decades, two decades were in policing a border community. In Windsor, the border is not a distant concept; it is part of our daily rhythm. Families cross it every morning for work or school. Trade pours through it every minute, and criminals try to exploit it every day and night. That was my lived reality for nearly 30 years in uniform.
When we work the front line in a border city, we see things that do not make the evening news. We see the family torn apart by fentanyl. We see the gun trafficked across the river showing up at a crime scene. We see CBSA officers struggling with outdated equipment, short-staffed shifts and facilities that were never meant to handle the volume they do today. We see police officers, good and dedicated people, being asked to carry the weight of government policy failures.
I remember hearing countless officers I worked with say that they are covering every gap in the system there is. That is not a complaint. It is a sober description of the reality on the ground. They are right. We are responding to mental health crises because mental health supports are not there. We are responding to addiction because treatment beds are not available. We are responding to violent offenders because bail laws send them back out the door soon after their arrest. In border communities like mine, we are responding to the consequences of smuggling operations that exploit every weakness in the system.
Former Dallas police chief David Brown, in a moment of reflection during the funeral service for five of his police officers killed in action, said that society asks police to solve every problem but only equips them for one. That line has stayed with me for years because it captures, exactly, our lived reality.
It is the same pattern with Bill C-12. The Liberals talk about strengthening the border, but this bill does not deal with the fundamentals. It adds responsibilities without adding resources. It expands authorities without addressing bail failures. It gestures at privacy protections while leaving gaps big enough for any government to drive through. It completely ignores the fact that CBSA officers in places like Windsor are being stretched thinner than ever. Windsor residents are not fools. They understand the realities of living next to the busiest international crossing in North America. They know the risks, they know the pressures, and they know when Ottawa is not listening.
Let me be clear about the lived reality these folks face: CBSA officers in my region are trying to intercept dangerous drugs and firearms with equipment that belongs several other decades behind us. They are understaffed. They are overburdened. Some units run at minimum manpower every day. While the officers do heroic work, government after government has failed to give them the tools that match the scale of their responsibility.
This bill pretends those challenges do not exist. It assumes that if we simply legislate more expectations, outcomes will magically flow. However, in policing, and in border work especially, expectation without capability is a dangerous combination. It does not work. This bill fails to address the things police officers and families talk to me about all the time. It does not fix the catch-and-release bail system that puts repeat violent offenders back into neighbourhoods before police finish their paperwork. It does not introduce mandatory sentences for fentanyl traffickers, the very people fuelling the deaths we are seeing in our emergency rooms; we have lost nearly 50,000 people since 2015. It does not impose mandatory jail terms for gang members caught with illegal firearms. It does not prevent house arrest for serious and violent crimes that devastate families and communities.
When I talk to parents, they tell me they want their kids to be safe while they are walking to school. They want their neighbourhoods to be stable. They want drug use and trafficking to be addressed at the source, not just managed on a street corner, yet at the committee, the health minister could not commit to stopping fentanyl consumption from taking place near schools or day care centres.
In Windsor, we understand what that means. We have seen neighbourhoods destabilized because the government failed to draw basic, common-sense lines. The bill even gives the Canadian Coast Guard expanded surveillance powers, but it does so without the guardrails that prevent overreach or misuse. The Conservatives fought to make sure the Minister of National Defence, not a patchwork of agencies, is accountable for how those authorities are used. That matters in a free society.
At the end of the day, this comes down to something very simple: trust. People in Windsor trust institutions when those institutions prove they understand reality, but this bill does not reflect the reality that border communities like mine live every day. It reflects talking points, not lived experience. As someone who has spent his career responding to the consequences of weak laws and under-resourced agencies, I can say exactly what works and what does not.
We need real bail reform, not more slogans. We need mandatory jail time for fentanyl traffickers and violent gun offenders. We need strong privacy protections, not blank-cheque powers. We need accountability for expanded surveillance authorities. We need CBSA resourced properly with modern equipment, adequate staffing and the capacity to interdict smuggling before it hits our streets. Above all, we need a government that understands safety and freedom must go hand in hand.
Windsor knows the truth. We live on the front line. We feel the consequences of Ottawa's decisions faster and harder than most people do in the rest of the country. What we see today is a bill that does not rise to the moment, unfortunately. After three decades in policing, I will say this plainly: We cannot protect a border, protect a community or protect a country with wishful thinking. We need clear laws, real consequences, strong institutions and a government willing to prioritize public safety over politics. The bill fails that test.
The people of Windsor have been saying this for years: It is time for change.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, Canada elected a new prime minister. Since then, we have seen substantial change take place. We have bail reform legislation. We have anti-hate legislation. We have secure border legislation. We have a number of pieces of legislation and a budget that supports Canadians. We have build Canada strong legislation. All this has happened in the number of months following the newly elected Prime Minister and government.
It is up to the Conservatives to recognize this, as we have, and deliver. We want to deliver this legislative agenda. We need more co-operation from the Conservative Party.
Will the member commit to more co-operation with—
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Harb Gill Conservative Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the reminder that we elected a new prime minister seven months ago who has only managed to pass one or two bills in that time period. That is a shameful record for any prime minister in the House of Commons. This is not something that I would say is a badge of honour for any politician worth his salt in this chamber.
On co-operation, Bill C-2, the predecessor of this bill, was an abject failure. It was a disgrace. The Liberals had to go back to the drawing board and come up with this bill, and it still fails. I do not know how many times they will have to go back to the drawing board in order to come up with proper legislation so that we, on this side, can work with them.
That is the whole issue. We are ready to work, but we are not seeing any co-operation from the government, unfortunately.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his speech.
The collaboration between the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois on improving Bill C-12 has been mentioned several times since the beginning of today's debate. In fact, the original version of the bill was unacceptable or at least, as my colleague said, parts of it were extremely hard to swallow.
The government had made commitments, including a commitment to hire Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and Canada Border Services Agency officers, as requested by the union, which decries the shortage of 2,000 to 3,000 border services officers.
Solutions have been proposed, including some by the Bloc Québécois. I would like to know whether my colleague agrees with our proposal, which is incidentally consistent with the proposal by the Customs and Immigration Union. The idea is to allow border officers to move between border crossings in order to provide better coverage and to back up the RCMP in order to fill needs not met by the government.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Harb Gill Conservative Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is remarkable that, just this past week, I heard that the government sent letters to senior officers, or officers who have several years of experience, offering them voluntary retirement. Meanwhile, it has not taken any steps to hire the 1,000 RCMP officers or the 1,000 CBSA officers it promised us. It is zero, crickets. Even the minister responsible had no idea how many people would be lost through attrition, yet there is no chance of any new hires coming on board. It is all talk and no action, unfortunately.
To my colleague's point about officers being able to go to other posts and cover gaps in the system, I say, absolutely. That makes total sense. We need to have a proper system in place, where every border crossing is covered. We need to have the right people in place to cover those contingencies and—
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have come to know my colleague from Windsor West over the last several months, and I want to thank him for his years of service as a police officer, protecting Canadians and our borders. I appreciate his service to our country.
My riding is at the opposite end of Lake Erie, and we share similar border issues. We just learned, for example, that the CBSA has eliminated 40% of its capacity for custody of people coming illegally into the country. The government talks about hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers when there is no capacity to actually train 1,000 new people. It has now reduced capacity for the custody of people breaking the law and coming into the country illegally.
I wonder if my friend could comment on that in relation to the weaknesses of this bill.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Harb Gill Conservative Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, the failures and weaknesses in the system are nothing new. They have been around for a long time and are being exacerbated by the policies instituted and the new legislation brought about by our friends opposite. It is a disgrace to see this kind of legislation being brought forward. It is an insult to the officers working the border posts and the police officers working the border communities, because they are not seeing the help they need. These kinds of cuts are undermining and eroding the trust not just of police officers in the communities but also of us here in this chamber.
The government is all talk and no action. People out there are saying that they have had enough of the smoke and mirrors show. They want results. They want action. They want the government to show them that it is doing something for them, rather than just putting out slogans and playing politics with their lives and their future.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Question.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The question is on Motion No. 1.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The recorded division on Motion No. 1 stands deferred.
The question is on Motion No. 2. A vote on this motion also applies to Motions Nos. 3 to 21, 23 to 47 and 49 to 51. A negative vote on Motion No. 2 requires a question to be put on Motions Nos. 22 and 48.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Liberal
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The recorded division on Motion No. 2 stands deferred. The recorded division will also apply to Motions Nos. 3 to 21, 23 to 47 and 49 to 51.
Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded divisions stand further deferred until later this same day at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
I believe the member for Winnipeg North is rising on a point of order.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I suspect that, if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to suspend until 2 p.m.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Perhaps the member would agree that we suspend to the call of the Chair, which will be just prior to two o'clock.
Is it agreed that the House will suspend to the call of the Chair?
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Bill C-12 Sitting SuspendedStrengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The House is suspended to the call of the Chair.
(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11:58 a.m.)
(The House resumed at 1:58 p.m.)
Royal AssentGovernment Orders
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I have the honour to inform the House that a communication has been received as follows:
Rideau Hall
Ottawa
December 10, 2025
Mr. Speaker:
I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bill listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 10th day of December, 2025, at 5:04 p.m.
Yours sincerely,
Ken MacKillop
Secretary to the Governor General
The schedule indicates the bill assented to was Bill C-17, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026—Chapter 6.
Jean Yip Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Speaker, during the Advent season, the themes of hope, peace, joy and love guide meaningful reflection and provide a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal as we await Christ's birth.
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hosting Christmas on the Hill. Our caucus welcomed guests from across the country to celebrate the season with music, faith, food and fellowship. I am proud that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the freedom of expression and the freedom of religion.
I want to wish people from my riding of Scarborough—Agincourt and across Canada of all faiths the happiest of holidays, a happy Hanukkah, a happy Kwanza and a very merry Christmas.
