THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, February 23, 2026
(13)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 3:05 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Hassan Yussuff, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Al Zaibak, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Hay, Ince, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Woo, Youance and Yussuff (15).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Clement, Dasko, McPhedran, Miville-Dechêne, Moodie, Muggli, Osler, Senior and Simons (9).
Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
WITNESSES:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:
Jason Hollmann, Director General, Asylum;
Tara Lang, Director General, Integrity Policy and Programs;
Youri Tessier-Stall, Acting Senior Counsel, Legal Services.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the committee continued its examination of 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.
At 3:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-12.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed, with leave, that the clauses be grouped according to the 11 parts of the Bill as described in the Table of Provisions of Bill C-12 when appropriate.
It was agreed that Part 1, entitled Customs Act, which contains clauses 2 to 5 carry.
It was agreed that Part 2, entitled Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which contains clauses 6 to 21 carry.
It was agreed that Part 3, entitled Police Enforcement of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Cannabis Act, which contains clauses 22 to 24 carry.
It was agreed that Part 4, entitled Oceans Act, which contains clauses 24.1 to 27 carry.
The chair asked whether Part 5, entitled Information Sharing — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, which contains clauses 28 to 29 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended in clause 28, on page 14, by replacing lines 29 to 35 with the following:
“it receives under subsection (1) to a foreign entity.”.
Tara Lang and Youri Tessier-Stall were invited to the table and answered questions. They answered questions from time to time for the remainder of the meeting.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Deacon (Ontario), Hay, Woo, Youance — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Dean, Ince, Moreau, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended on page 15 by adding the following after line 19:
“29.1 Section 5.5 of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act is repealed.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, on division.
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended on page 15 by adding the following after line 19:
“29.2 Section 29.1 comes into force on the fifth anniversary of the day on which this Act receives royal assent.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, on division.
It was agreed that Part 5, entitled Information Sharing — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, which contains clauses 28 to 29 carry.
It was agreed that Part 6, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (In-Canada Asylum System), which contains clauses 30 to 64 carry.
The chair asked whether Part 7, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Certain Measures in Respect of Applications and Documents), which contains clauses 65 to 72 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended in clause 72, on page 30, by replacing lines 15 and 16 with the following:
“dress administrative errors.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Ince, Woo, Youance — [4]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Hay, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Yussuff — [11]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended in clause 72,
(a) on page 30, by replacing line 17 with the following:
“87.301 (1) The Governor in Council may, subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament, make an order”;
(b) on page 31, by replacing line 23 with the following:
“Council may, by order and subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament,”;
(c) on page 32,
(i) by replacing line 19 with the following:
“Council may, by order and subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament, amend or repeal any order made”,
(ii) by replacing line 23 with the following:
“may, by order and subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament, authorize the Minister, by order, to amend”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Hay, Ince, Woo, Youance — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Yussuff — [10]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that Part 7, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Certain Measures in Respect of Applications and Documents), which contains clauses 65 to 72 carry.
At 5:59 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:24 p.m., the committee resumed.
The chair asked whether Shall Part 8, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Ineligibility). which contains clauses 73 to 75 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved that Bill C-12 be amended in clause 73, on page 34,
(a) by replacing lines 5 and 6 with the following:
“and made the claim more than three years after the day of their most recent entry;”;
(b) by deleting lines 15 to 18.
Jason Hollmann was invited to the table and answered questions.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Hay, Woo — [3]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Ince, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Dalphond, Youance — [2]
The Honourable Senator Youance moved that Bill C-12 be amended in clause 73, on page 34, by adding the following after line 14:
“(1.01) Despite paragraphs (1)(b.1) and (b.2), a claim is not ineligible if the claimant was under 18 years of age on the day of their entry.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Deacon (Ontario), Hay, Ince, Woo, Youance — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Dean, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Yussuff — [7]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Youance moved that Bill C-12 be amended on page 35 by adding the following after line 16:
“PART 8.1
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Sunset Clause)
Amendments to the Act
75.1 The following provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are repealed:
(a) section 11.3;
(b) paragraph 14(2)(b.1);
(c) section 20.01;
(d) paragraph 26(1)(b.01);
(e) sections 87.3001 to 87.305;
(f) paragraphs 101(1)(b.1) and (b.2);
(g) subsections 101(1.1) and (1.2); and
(h) paragraphs 111.1(1)(b.1) and (b.2).”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al Zaibak, Hay, Woo, Youance — [4]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Ince, Martin, Moreau, P.C., Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that Part 8, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Ineligibility). which contains clauses 73 to 75 carry.
It was agreed that Part 9, entitled Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act). which contains clauses 76 to 124 carry.
It was agreed that Part 10, entitled Legislation Related to Financial Institutions (Supervisory Committee) which contains clauses 125 to 126 carry.
It was agreed that Part 11, entitled Sex Offender Information Registration Act which contains clauses 127 to 137 carry.
It was agreed that the schedule carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
After debate, it was agreed that observations be appended to the committee’s report on the bill.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration today’s discussion and with necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-12 with observations to the Senate, in both official languages.
At 8:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Paajanen
Clerk of the Committee