C-12Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act
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
Government bill, introduced in the House of Commons on October 8, 2025
- Status
- Became law on March 26, 2026 · S.C. 2026, c. 4
What it does
Changes border, immigration, drug, financial crime and sex offender laws, and gives the government new powers over some immigration applications and documents.
What it does
- Changes border and marine security rules by giving CBSA free facilities at certain crossings and cargo sites, letting officers inspect export goods, and moving coast guard services to National Defence with security and intelligence powers.
- Creates a temporary fast-track for the Minister of Health to add precursor chemicals to Schedule V under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and updates related regulations.
- Lets regulations exempt police and military police, and people acting under their direction, from certain Criminal Code conspiracy, attempt, accessory and counselling offences when they are carrying out lawful drug investigations.
- Changes immigration rules by expanding information sharing, adding representative rules, new ineligibility grounds, abandonment and withdrawal rules, and public-interest powers to stop, suspend, cancel or vary some applications and documents.
- Raises money laundering penalties, requires compliance agreements and compliance orders after prescribed violations, makes more reporting entities enrol with FINTRAC, and lets FINTRAC share some information with the Commissioner of Canada Elections.
- Updates sex offender reporting and disclosure rules, including more reporting details, recorded physical traits, and Canada Border Services Agency disclosure to law enforcement.
Who it affects
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Importers and exporters
- Police and military police
- Immigration and refugee claimants
- Visa and permit applicants
- Financial institutions and other reporting entities
- Sex offenders
- Canadian Coast Guard
Background
The bill changes several federal laws, including the Customs Act, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Oceans Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the money laundering law. It also requires a parliamentary review after five years.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Completed.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
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 (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 48)
Vote 59,
Passed
327 yeato8 nay
Party breakdown for vote 59 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 168 0 2 Conservative Yea 139 0 4 Bloc Yea 20 0 2 NDP Nay 0 7 0 Green Nay 0 1 0 Total 327 8 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 (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 22)
Vote 58,
Passed
327 yeato8 nay
Party breakdown for vote 58 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 168 0 2 Conservative Yea 139 0 4 Bloc Yea 20 0 2 NDP Nay 0 7 0 Green Nay 0 1 0 Total 327 8 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 (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 2)
Vote 57,
Failed
8 yeato327 nay
Party breakdown for vote 57 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay 0 168 2 Conservative Nay 0 139 4 Bloc Nay 0 20 2 NDP Yea 7 0 0 Green Yea 1 0 0 Total 8 327 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 (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 1)
Vote 56,
Failed
147 yeato188 nay
Party breakdown for vote 56 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay 0 168 2 Conservative Yea 139 0 4 Bloc Nay 0 20 2 NDP Yea 7 0 0 Green Yea 1 0 0 Total 147 188
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalGary Anandasangaree· October 20, 2025
“I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today to Bill C-12, the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act. Bill C-12 is important legislation that would keep Canadians safe by strengthening immigration and border security.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeFrank Caputo· October 20, 2025
“The bill refers to the “Corporation”, which is very interesting. The corporation legally has personhood, but the corporation is made up of people.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocClaude DeBellefeuille· October 20, 2025
“Viewers at home will recall that the bill's number, Bill C‑2, reflects the fact that the government was intent on bringing this bill forward urgently at the start of this Parliament. That is why today, in mid-October, we are dealing with another bill that has the same objectives, but is now known as Bill C‑12.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPJenny Kwan· October 22, 2025
“I rise to speak today in strong opposition to Bill C-12, the so-called border security and immigration act. Let us be clear: The bill is not a new approach.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caGreenElizabeth May· October 21, 2025
“I am very pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-12, which is what is listed today under Government Orders. We have a very strange situation at the moment in that the bill is substantially similar, with the same title and almost all the same sections, to Bill C-2, which remains on the Order Paper.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Royal assent received. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.