Report of the committee
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred 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, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, February 5, 2026, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
HASSAN YUSSUFF
Chair
Observations to the Second Report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (Bill C-12)
Acknowledging the importance of a well-functioning immigration system, the committee urges the Government of Canada to adopt best practices and to provide the necessary technologies and resources to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to streamline application processes, eliminate inefficiencies, improve productivity and eliminate backlogs.
The committee expresses concerns about fraudulent immigration consultant practices and calls on the Government of Canada to address those practices through the regulation of training, testing, certification and accreditation of these consultants, as well as through penalties — such as disqualification, interdiction and prosecution — for those who break the law when representing or advising applicants.
The committee highlights witnesses’ concerns regarding the urgent need to accelerate hydrographic mapping of the Arctic, in accordance with the responsibilities of the Minister of Fisheries provided for in Part 4 of the bill. These responsibilities include ensuring the facilitation of marine trade, commerce and safety. Given that the necessary technology already exists and considering the current geopolitical context of increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, the committee maintains that it is imperative to provide a clear mandate and quickly allocate the necessary resources.