Immigration Borders Bill
Summary
The Parliament of Canada passed Bill C-12, the Immigration Borders Bill, receiving Royal Assent on March 26, 2026 (Statutes of Canada 2026, c. 4). The bill underwent comprehensive legislative review through the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, which reported it with amendments. The legislation establishes new requirements for immigration and border management in Canada.
What changed
Bill C-12, the Immigration Borders Bill, received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, becoming Statutes of Canada 2026, c. 4. The bill passed through all legislative stages in the House of Commons between October and December 2025, including consideration by the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, which presented amendments on November 28, 2025. The final text and specific provisions will govern immigration and border-related matters under Canadian law.
Compliance teams and immigration legal practitioners should monitor for implementing regulations and guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that will operationalize this legislation. Organizations involved in immigration sponsorship, border processing, or compliance reporting should review their internal procedures once regulations are published.
What to do next
- Monitor IRCC and CBSA websites for implementing regulations and guidelines
- Review immigration processes and compliance procedures once regulations are published
- Update internal policies to align with new border security requirements
Source document (simplified)
This bill received royal assent on Thursday, March 26, 2026 Statutes of Canada 2026, c. 4
Completed on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 End of stage activity Introduction and first reading, Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | Sitting 36 |
#### Second reading
Completed on Thursday, October 23, 2025 End of stage activity Second reading and referral to committee, Thursday, October 23, 2025
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Monday, October 20, 2025 | Sitting 39 Major speeches |
| Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | Sitting 40 |
| Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | Sitting 41 |
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 | Sitting 42 Agreed to (Journals 42) |
#### Consideration in committee
Completed on Friday, November 28, 2025 End of stage activity Committee report presented with amendments, Friday, November 28, 2025 Committee report Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Study details
Committee meetings
| Meeting date | Minutes |
| --- | --- |
| Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | Meeting 11 |
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 | Meeting 12 |
| Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | Meeting 13 |
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Meeting 14 |
| Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | Meeting 15 |
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Friday, November 28, 2025 | Sitting 63 |
#### Report stage
Completed on Thursday, December 11, 2025 End of stage activity Concurrence at report stage, Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | Sitting 71 |
| Thursday, December 11, 2025 | Sitting 72 |
#### Third reading
Completed on Thursday, December 11, 2025 End of stage activity Third reading, Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Thursday, December 11, 2025 | Sitting 72 Agreed to (Journals 72) |
### Senate #### First reading
Completed on Thursday, December 11, 2025 End of stage activity First reading, Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Thursday, December 11, 2025 | Sitting 45 |
#### Second reading
Completed on Thursday, February 5, 2026 End of stage activities Second reading, Thursday, February 5, 2026 Referral to committee, Thursday, February 5, 2026
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Sitting 48 Major speeches |
#### Consideration in committee
Completed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 End of stage activity Committee report presented without amendment, Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Committee reports Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs Studies and bills
Committee meetings
| Meeting date | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Monday, February 9, 2026 | Meeting 10 |
| Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | Meeting 11 |
| Thursday, February 12, 2026 | Meeting 12 |
| Monday, February 23, 2026 | Meeting 13 |
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | Sitting 53 |
#### Third reading
Completed on Thursday, March 12, 2026 End of stage activity Third reading, Thursday, March 12, 2026
Chamber sittings
| Sitting date | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- |
| Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | Sitting 56 |
| Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | Sitting 57 |
| Thursday, March 12, 2026 | Sitting 58 |
Consideration of messages between the Senate and House of Commons
| Message date | Type | Debates (Hansard) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thursday, March 12, 2026 | Message sent to the House of Commons | Sitting 58 |
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Consideration of Senate amendments | Sitting 100 |
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Concurrence in the motion respecting Senate amendments | Sitting 100 |
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Consideration of House of Commons amendments | Sitting 61 |
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 | The Senate does not insist on its amendment(s) | Sitting 61 |
Notes
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Senate adopted the following motion:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, if 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, is adopted at second reading:
it stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs;
the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of Parts 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the bill;
the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs:
(a) be authorized to take into account any report from the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology to the Senate on the subject matter of Parts 5, 6, 7 and 8, during its consideration of the bill; and
(b) submit its final report to the Senate no later than the end of Routine Proceedings on February 24, 2026, after which it shall be deemed to have reported the bill without amendment, with the bill then being placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate;
the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting; and
for the purposes of these studies, both committees have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto.
Recorded votes
House of Commons
Vote 56 — Thursday, December 11, 2025 Result: Negatived 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) Yeas: 147 Nays: 188 Paired: 0 Total: 335 Vote 57 — Thursday, December 11, 2025 Result: Negatived 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) Yeas: 8 Nays: 327 Paired: 0 Total: 335 Vote 58 — Thursday, December 11, 2025 Result: Agreed To 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) Yeas: 327 Nays: 8 Paired: 0 Total: 335 Vote 59 — Thursday, December 11, 2025 Result: Agreed To 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) Yeas: 327 Nays: 8 Paired: 0 Total: 335
Senate
To view the complete list of standing votes that have taken place in the Senate, please refer to the Votes page of the Senate of Canada website.
Speaker's rulings and statements
There are currently no Speaker's rulings and statements.
Major speeches at second reading
House of Commons
| Speech date | Speech | Member of Parliament |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monday, October 20, 2025 | Sponsor’s speech (Sitting 39) | Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal) |
| Monday, October 20, 2025 | Response speech (Sitting 39) | Frank Caputo (Conservative) |
| Monday, October 20, 2025 | Response speech (Sitting 39) | Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc Québécois) |
Senate
| Speech date | Speech | Senator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Sponsor’s speech (Sitting 48) | Tony Dean (Independent Senators Group) |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Response speech (Sitting 48) | Yonah Martin (Conservative) |
Legislative summary
A legislative summary of this bill is available from the Library of Parliament.
Similar bills
No similar bills were introduced during previous sessions or Parliaments
Departmental information
Press releases
Government of Canada introduces new streamlined legislation to strengthen border security and keep Canadians safe (2025-10-08 | Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) New immigration and asylum measures from Bill C-12 (the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act) have become law (2026-03-26 | Department of Citizenship and Immigration)
Background information
Charter Statement - 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 (Tabled 2025-11-05) Understanding Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, Bill C-12 (2025-10-08 | Government of Canada)
From the Library of Parliament
Search research publications The Library of Parliament’s research publications provide non-partisan, reliable and timely information and analysis on current and emerging issues, legislation and major public policy topics.
Further reading
Bill C-12 threatens thousands of business incubator applications under Start-Up Visa program.
Colin R. Singer.
Law360 Canada New federal Bill C-12 features immigration reforms carved out from contentious "strong borders" bill.
Cristin Schmitz.
Law360 Canada, October 9, 2025 The Strong Borders Act [C-2 / C-12] and the road ahead : charting Canada’s AML [anti-money laundering] future.
Hodine Williams.
Law360 Canada The Strong Borders Act [C-2 / C-12] and the road ahead : charting Canada’s AML [anti-money laundering] future.
Hodine Williams.
Law360 Canada Canada Border Services Agency enforcement action statistics (Canada Border Services Agency) Canada–United States Border Security: Drug Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Sabrina Charland and Alexsandra Ferland, Library of Parliament, HillNote, 12 March 2025 Canada. Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Canada’s engagement with the United States. https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/campaigns/canada-us-engagement [Website] Canada. Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Financial crime investigators and prosecutors collaborate on latest money laundering threats. February 27, 2025. [Press release] Canada. Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Government of Canada announces its plan to strengthen border security and our immigration system. December 17, 2024. [Presse release] Canada. Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Launch of the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell. March 3, 2025. [Press release] Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime Strategy 2023-2026 (Department of Finance Canada) Government of Canada. Strengthening border security. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/securingborder/strengthen-border-security.html [Website] Some publications are only available in English or French. Export as: JSON XML For more data options, please see Open Data
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