Debates of Dec. 11th, 2025

Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am agreeing to apply the results of the last vote to this vote, with the Green Party voting no.

(The House divided on Motion No. 48, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #59

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I declare Motion No. 48 carried.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in at report stage with further amendments.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

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.

[An hon. member]

Mr. Speaker, I propose it be adopted on division.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

(Motion agreed to)

Business of the House

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the Liberals have decided to allow for Bill C-14 to pass. We have, on 17 occasions over the last number of hours, asked for the Liberals to expedite Bill C-14 and to allow for consideration of the bill. The Liberals continue to obstruct this bill, putting forward limitations on religious freedom in Bill C-9. Conservatives will continue to oppose those measures but would like to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians by providing what we believe is a counterfeit version of what Canadians are demanding in terms of fixing Liberal bail. We believe that the provisions would at least provide some level of protection.

Will the House leader give us an update as to when that might happen?

While I am on my feet, it is now the Christmas season, and this may be my last opportunity to stand in the House to thank all members for their dedication and support to their constituents. As they return home, we hope they will have a safe holiday season.

I want to thank the pages, who have dedicated hours to the House and to our service. We want to thank the table officers, the interpreters and all staff who support us, both here in the administration and in the House, as well as in our Hill and constituency offices.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Merry Christmas to you.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the chief opposition whip, for at least the festive part of that statement. If he wants to stand and propose that Bill C-14 be read at all stages and passed, we will absolutely support that on this side of the House.

Before discussing the business of the House, I would like to join with my hon. colleague and take this opportunity to thank all members of Parliament and their staff, who work hard every day for Canadians, whether here in the House of Commons or in their ridings.

I would also like to wish very happy holidays and a merry Christmas to all those who help us here in the parliamentary precinct: the clerks, the pages, the interpreters and the members of the Parliamentary Protective Service.

Many of them are residents in my own riding of Gatineau, which I continue to be very proud to represent in this House.

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and I believe you would find unanimous consent in the House for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House: (a) Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, be deemed read a third time and passed on division, and that the opposition of the Member for Saanich—Gulf Islands be noted; (b) Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, be deemed read a second time on division and referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade; (c) Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, be deemed read a third time and passed on division, and that the opposition of the Member for Saanich—Gulf Islands be noted; (d) following the adoption of this order, the House shall proceed immediately to the consideration of Private Members' Business, and during that time, no quorum calls, dilatory motions, or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair; (e) no proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38 be taken up today; and (f) when the House adjourns later this day, it shall stand adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, provided that, for the purpose of Standing Order 28, it shall be deemed to have sat on Friday, December 12, 2025.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

All those opposed to the hon. House leader's moving the motion will please say nay.

Hearing none, it is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

(Bill C‑4. On the Order: Government Orders:)

December 1, 2025—Resuming consideration of the motion of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Finance and National Revenue), seconded by the Honourable Wayne Long (Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions))—That Bill C‑4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, be now read a third time and do pass.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

(Bill C‑13. On the Order: Government Orders:)

December 3, 2025—Resuming consideration of the motion of the Honourable Maninder Sidhu (Minister of International Trade), seconded by the Honourable John Zerucelli (Secretary of State (Labour))—That Bill C‑13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade.

(Bill read a second time and referred to a committee)

(Bill C‑12. On the Order: Government Orders:)

The Minister of Public Safety—An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures—Order respecting proceedings at third reading stage—December 11, 2025

(Bill read the third time and passed)

Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the good wishes of my two colleagues. The Bloc Québécois would also like to wish a merry Christmas and a happy new year to all Quebeckers, to the members of all parties and their staff, to all House of Commons staff, including the clerks, the law clerks, the analysts, the pages, the Parliamentary Protective Services, the friendly cafeteria staff, the maintenance team, the IT technicians, the Sergeant-at-Arms' team, and, last but certainly not least, the interpreters. They are going through a rather difficult time at the moment. Our thoughts are with them, as we have a special relationship with them.

Best wishes to all.

Correction to Official Record

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, my votes were recorded in error, and I would like them stricken from the record.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I would like thank the hon. member for Provencher. Pursuant to Standing Order 45, and in line with precedence of members inadvertently voting when they should not have, I wish to inform the House that a corrigendum will be published in today's Journals and that the results of division Nos. 53, 54 and 55, in the Journals of December 8 and December 9, as well as the other records, will thereafter be corrected by removing the member's votes.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the New Democratic caucus and my colleagues, I would also like to extend our best wishes this holiday season to all of the members of the House and all of the staff on the Hill. I cannot do better than my colleague from the Bloc, who, I think, enumerated all of the very many people who, every day, not only make this place work but provide such a foundational support for Canadian democracy.

On their behalf, I wish everybody a merry Christmas and the best of the holiday season. Have a safe and happy holiday.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Green Party and as its leader, I would like to extend my best wishes for the holiday season to everyone.

Merry Christmas, joyeux Noël and happy Hanukkah to everyone, whether or not one has a faith, and I do have a profound faith and look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I also recognize that people of no faith and of different faiths are all bound together here in this place by our common love of country and our commitment to work for democracy, which is under threat all around the world this Christmas season.

To everyone, everybody who has been mentioned already, our wonderful interpreters, our wonderful pages, the students who deserve to have a great Christmas at home with their families, and every one of my dear friends here in this place, to every MP, please be safe this holiday season. Come back, and when we resume Parliament, let us start with a spirit of shared commitment and co-operation.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Before we adjourn, I would like to take a moment to thank all staff members of the House of Commons and wish them a very happy holiday season. Without the dedication and professionalism of each and every one of you, it would be exceedingly difficult for the House to function on a daily basis.

From the staff that keep our workplace clean and safe to the cafeteria, restaurant and catering staff, our Parliamentary Protective Service, the bus drivers, interpreters, translators, pages, table officers, committee clerks, administrative staff, IT and communications professionals, research analysts and Library of Parliament staff, protocol officers and exchange officers, and everyone else who is here to serve Parliament, I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Their work matters and, through their excellence, they make the House of Commons work in the service of Canada's parliamentary democracy.

I hope that the coming weeks will give you the opportunity to rest a little and spend some quality time with your loved ones.

While members of Parliament take time over the coming weeks to reconnect with their constituents back in their ridings, I hope that they will also take the time to reconnect to what is most important to them.

That way, we will come back at the end of January refreshed and ready to continue our work for Parliament and for Canadians. I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

Have a wonderful holiday. We will see everyone back on January 26.

The House resumed from November 20 consideration of the motion that Bill C-234, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Living Donor Recognition Medal, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Living Donor Recognition Medal Act

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to a private member's bill brought forward by my colleague, the member for Edmonton Manning. His bill proposes something simple: a national medal of recognition for every living organ donor in Canada to raise awareness and education about the power of living donation.

My family has lived with the cruelty of Alport syndrome, a genetic disease that steals kidney function. Generation after generation, it has been a quiet, constant shadow in our family. I grew up with adults speaking in hushed tones about test results, doctor's appointments and the next person whose kidneys were beginning to fail.

When I was a little girl, my dear grandmother, Magdalena Villavicencio, died on my bed. I remember the sounds of adults crying around me. I remember the heaviness in the room, and I remember not fully understanding what had happened but knowing that our family had lost another fight in a long war. My uncle, Jose Gabriel Cobena, died too, and now my cousins, the next generation, have been fighting the same battle. Both brothers needed transplants as teenagers. The eldest received a kidney from his father, but the father only had one to give, so the younger brother, at 19 years old, had no donor match.

There is nothing more frightening than waiting to see whether someone we love will live or die. Death appeared close, and even closer with each passing day, and then something extraordinary happened: My brother, Gabriel Cobena, stepped forward. He was young and healthy, with his whole life ahead of him, and he said, “Test me. If I am a match, he will not die.” Although these words may sound simple, the situation was not.

My cousin was in Ecuador in a very delicate state, so weak he could not travel. If the transplant were to happen, it would have to be in a public hospital where there was no hot water, no toilet seats and no modern comforts, just faith and the courage that only God puts into the hearts of ordinary people. My brother walked into the surgery knowing the risks were high. He walked in knowing that complications were common. He walked in knowing that in that hospital, donating a kidney could very well be a death sentence, but he did it anyway.

For four hours we waited. It was four hours of pure agony, praying with every breath that God would guide the surgeon's hands and that both young men, my brother and my cousin, would come out alive, and by the Lord's mercy, they did. My cousin recovered. He finished university, and this past summer he got married. My brave, selfless brother gave him a future he would never have had. He too got married, and he has two handsome young sons.

When I speak to this bill, I speak with the deepest of convictions because my father, Gilmerth Cobena, who donated his kidney to his mother, is a hero. My brother, Gabriel Cobena, is a hero. The sponsor of this bill, the member for Edmonton Manning, who donated part of his liver to his son Tyler, is a hero, and every Canadian who has given an organ so that someone else can live is a hero.

This medal would be about recognizing that, among us, walk women and men who have offered a part of their own body so that another human being might get one more sunrise, one more breath, one more chance at life. This bill would simply allow Canada to say that we see them, we honour them and they are the best of us.

This is a moment for every Canadian to feel proud of the House because, together, across all parties, we are standing in unity to support this private member's bill, reflecting our shared commitment to the people we serve.

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her wonderful speech.

Yesterday, Quebec lost one of its greatest photojournalists, Jacques Nadeau. A leading figure at Le Devoir and La Presse, he devoted more than 30 years to chronicling our society through his camera with rare humanity and admirable sensitivity.

Personally, I have lost a friend. For years, Jacques and I would chat when we went to the gym in the morning. Through our conversations about politics and current events, I discovered a warm human side to him that I will miss.

I offer my sincere condolences to his family, his wife, his loved ones and the entire journalistic community. I thank Jacques for everything he has done.

I am also rising to speak in support of Bill C-234, an act respecting the establishment and award of a living donor recognition medal. This bill recognizes the courage, generosity and profound humanity of Canadians who choose to donate an organ during their lifetime. It creates a national honour for those who have made what the preamble rightly calls the “gift of life”.

Organ and tissue donation is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. It is not compelled, offers no material reward and often carries medical risk. Living donors step forward not for recognition and not for reward, but because they believe in the value of another human life. As the bill notes, they often do so at personal risk and with no expectation of reward. Their actions save lives and strengthen our communities by reminding us of the compassion and solidarity that define Canada at its best. These are not small virtues; they are the very qualities that strengthen our social fabric.

When a Canadian chooses to donate an organ, they are saving a life. They are also helping families stay whole and reminding communities across the country of what is possible when people act with kindness. Their actions inspire us. They, especially my colleague from Edmonton Manning, set an example for all of us in the House and for all Canadians.

Canadians are rightly proud of those who perform acts of extraordinary generosity. However, pride alone is not enough. Bill C-234 proposes a formal mechanism, a national honour, to ensure that their contributions are publicly recognized and celebrated. This is a thoughtful and meaningful initiative. I would like to thank the sponsor of this bill for introducing legislation that shines a light on the unsung heroes among us.

According to the Canadian Organ Replacement Register of the Canadian Institute for Health Information, in 2023, nearly 50,000 Canadians were living with end-stage renal disease. Of these, approximately 30,000 were on dialysis, while 20,000 had received a functional kidney transplant. As of December 31, 2024, more than 4,000 Canadians were waiting for a solid organ transplant, and 71% of them needed a kidney. These are not just statistics; these are real people. They are our neighbours, our friends and our loved ones.

Tragically, in 2024, 691 Canadians were removed from the transplant wait-lists. Every year, hundreds of patients waiting for a life-saving organ transplant are removed from waiting lists due to declining health or due to the development of other health issues. Unfortunately, many Canadians also die while waiting for a transplant. It is a sad reality. Every one of those lives lost is a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue.

Dialysis, while life-sustaining, is not a long-term solution. The five-year survival rate for dialysis patients is only 45%, compared to 92% for kidney transplant recipients. A transplant not only doubles life expectancy but also dramatically improves quality of life. For patients, a successful transplant often means returning to work, regaining independence and reclaiming a sense of normalcy.

The case for increasing living organ donation is clear. Demand continues to grow, and every person on a wait-list represents a life on hold, a family in distress and a community affected. Living donations often offer better outcomes and reduce pressure on dialysis programs.

In 2023, the average wait time for a living donor kidney was 1.5 years, compared to 3.9 years for a deceased donor kidney, but there is another dimension we must address: equity. Health Canada reports that access to living donor kidney transplants among South Asian, African, Caribbean and Black populations is 50% to 75% lower than the national average. This disparity underscores the need for targeted awareness and culturally sensitive outreach. Living donation is not a complete solution; however, where we can recognize the impact of living donors, we can help catalyze change by raising awareness and inspiring action.

Recognition matters. It is not merely symbolic. It is transformative. When we celebrate donors' stories, we dispel the myths and fears surrounding organ donation. We make it accessible and tangible.

Inspiration leads to action. Sharing donors' journeys creates a powerful narrative that encourages others to consider donating. Encouragement also leads to change. As awareness increases, participation follows. Expanding the donor pool means saving more lives.

Recognition, whether in the form of honours, public acknowledgements or personal gratitude, is also a profound affirmation of a donor's generosity. It shows them, as well as our country, that their act of kindness matters.

Health Canada remains committed to supporting patients, families and donors. It works closely with provincial and territorial partners; national organizations such as the Canadian Blood Services and the Canadian Society of Transplantation; clinicians; researchers; and also indigenous communities, all with a patient-centred approach.

In 2024, Health Canada launched the pan-Canadian governance framework for organ donation and transplantation. As part of this, Health Canada advocated for the creation of a patient advocate advisory committee, providing an independent platform for people with lived experience to inform policy and improve systems. These efforts ensure that the voices of patients, families and donors are heard and respected.

Stakeholders consistently emphasize the importance of recognizing living donors. Organizations such as the Kidney Foundation of Canada and countless individuals with lived experience have told us that recognition really matters. It validates their sacrifice and encourages others to follow their example.

Too many Canadians are in urgent need of life-saving organ transplants. Every week, about four people die waiting for a transplant. Increasing the number of living donations is a key step in saving lives and improving quality of life. Recognizing living donors can have a significant impact.

I urge all members to consider the profound impact of living donors. Together, we can build a system that not only saves lives but also celebrates the generosity of living donors.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to speak about an important piece of legislation, Bill C-234.

First, I would like to take a moment to recognize my friend, a Conservative colleague and the member for Edmonton Manning, as the sponsor of this bill. His hard work, dedication and personal experience with living organ donation is truly inspiring.

This bill supports a low-cost solution that can have a huge impact for Canadians. I believe that Bill C-234 can be supported by all parties in the House and by all Canadians.

Every Canadian has their own personal experience with health. Regardless of age, sex, culture or background, our health and well-being determine how well we live our lives. Every day our actions directly affect our health. From taking daily vitamins to watching our diets or making some time for exercise, we take actions because our health impacts our quality of life. At the end of the day, we all have to have our health. While many Canadians are fortunate to lead healthy lives, there are many who struggle with health challenges. Unfortunately, we all know friends, family members and neighbours who have spent months or even years facing serious health issues, fighting a terminal illness or a chronic disease.

Here in Canada, we must recognize that our health care system is broken. Right now, 6.5 million Canadians do not have access to a family doctor. Canada is short at least 23,000 doctors and 60,000 registered nurses. Health care workers are burnt out from millions of hours of overtime. Emergency rooms are closing across the country. A recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information revealed that between April 2024 and March 2025 there were more than 16 million unscheduled emergency department visits in Canada. That is up from almost 15.5 million in the previous year. It is a harsh reality, but we must recognize that Canadians are literally dying as they wait for care.

However, not all Canadians are waiting in the same line. Some Canadians have needs that cannot be met with a doctor's appointment or getting a prescription. This brings me to the key component of Bill C-234. Right now, there are 4,700 Canadians on a wait-list to receive a life-saving organ transplant. A common misunderstanding is that life-saving organs can only come from deceased donors. That is not true.

Canadians may not realize how living organ donation works. Living organ donors bravely step up and give all or part of their own organ for those who need it. Part of this process depends on availability of organs, which is based on medical compatibility between the donor and the recipient. That means, depending on the organ, the donor organ must match in blood type, tissue type and size to ensure it is accepted by the body of the recipient. After this donation, these heroes then recover and continue on with their lives.

Bill C-234 seeks to formally recognize those brave living organ donors by recognizing this priceless gift they gave. It establishes the formal presentation of a medal by a representative of the Crown, a senator or a member of Parliament. The legislation honours those individuals who have donated one or more organs here in Canada.

Unfortunately, Canada's organ donation rate is low. Having a formal process of recognition would shed light on this problem and encourage more people to give. We know there are 4,700 people currently on the transplant wait-list and each of their lives is at risk. They could be our family, friends or neighbours. Anyone, regardless of their health, can suddenly require an organ donation and have their name added to the list.

Living organ donors give the gift of life. I want to highlight the impact they have on the lives they save. Of the 4,700 people in need of an organ, 75% specifically require a kidney transplant. Living organ donors are special because they can meet this demand. That is because, despite being born with two kidneys, the human body can survive with just one. We can also safely donate part of our liver, as it will continue to grow back and function. Regardless of the situation, life for Canadians waiting to receive an organ donation is extremely challenging. Needing a donation means their lives are on hold and their health outcomes get worse the longer they wait.

I would like to look specifically at individuals on the wait-list for a kidney transplant, who represent three-quarters of the 4,700 individuals on the wait-list. Without functioning kidneys, they could be forced to undergo multiple dialysis treatments every week just to stay alive. Each treatment causes stress and takes hours of their time.

I represent the constituency of Riding Mountain, a region of Manitoba that is larger than the province of Nova Scotia. Patients and their families needing dialysis in our area could be forced to drive hours just to get to a facility where they could receive the treatment. In most cases, these people would also need to take time away from their jobs. This may add financial strain on top of the heavy emotional toll that comes with this difficult process. Each person on the wait-list is living these realities. That is why the generosity of one person is so remarkable and life-changing.

A living organ donor can volunteer to sign up for a donation, be tested to find a medical match, schedule and have their surgery, and then continue leading a healthy and normal lifestyle after donating. Members can think about that. A single organ donation can save a life, freeing a fellow Canadian on the wait-list and their family from this immense burden of uncertainty. Canadians already do this. They give without compensation for their life-saving donation. It is hard to imagine a more significant example of generosity and compassion than volunteering to give a piece of oneself to a person in need.

Canadians have a proud reputation for being kind and have a long history of organ and tissue donation. The priceless value of life and the special connection that exists between the organ donor and the recipient cannot be overstated. One remarkable act can extend another person's precious life and drastically improve the quality of it, and yet, here in Canada, we do not have a process for formally thanking these brave heroes for their gifts. When I think of the sacrifice, I think of our men and women in uniform. Whether military or first responders, they are exceptionally brave every day. We recognize these individuals for their continued service to Canada. We recognize volunteers and those who are generous in the name of a good cause, but we do not have a formal process to acknowledge living organ donors. I believe these donors exemplify each of these characteristics, and they deserve more than a simple thank you.

However, recognizing these individuals is just one part of the potential that Bill C-234 would have if passed. Bill C-234 could also be a source of education for Canadians who may not realize how to sign up to be a living organ donor. It could help with misunderstandings about organ donations by honouring those who have successfully donated. We could spark public awareness to encourage more conversations about donations.

A crucial recognition that Bill C-234 would put into law would not just honour those who have donated; I believe it would inspire others to donate as well. If more Canadians know about living donation as a way to contribute, the wait-list can shrink. More donations means fewer people waiting for an organ donation while their lives are at risk. It means getting them out of hospital beds and back to being productive members of society. It means they can work again and live with the dignity they deserve. It also means that thousands of health care dollars can be saved on treatments like dialysis. It can open up more hospital beds when Canadians need them. As Canada faces significant challenges with our health care capacity, it is important to seek simple solutions. Bill C-234 is a solution.

With that, I ask for unanimous consent to pass the bill at second reading.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.