A sweeping federal bill billed as a border security and immigration system overhaul is now one step closer to becoming law, and community voices in and around Parc-Extension are already sounding the alarm about what it could mean for vulnerable residents.
Bill C-12, titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, was adopted by the House of Commons on December 11, 2025, according to Parliament’s official record of the bill at third reading.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for further study and debate.
The federal government’s public explanation of the bill frames it as a package meant to disrupt organized crime, strengthen border security, and modernize tools for enforcement while respecting privacy and Charter rights.
The bill itself is omnibus in nature, touching several laws and enforcement areas, including measures related to customs and border integrity.
But in Montreal, advocacy groups have warned that measures presented as security upgrades can have sharp consequences for migrants and people without secure status, particularly in neighbourhoods like Parc-Extension where many residents are newcomers, international students, and low income workers.
In early December, a community mobilization tied to opposition to Bill C-12 was promoted for a location near Metro Parc, signalling that the issue is not abstract for locals who rely on community networks for support and information.
National advocacy organizations have also published critiques urging senators to reject the bill, arguing it could restrict access to asylum and introduce rules that put people at risk.
The political debate will continue in Ottawa, but for residents on the ground, the practical question is what changes may arrive next, and how quickly.
For Parc-Extension, where immigration status, housing security, and access to services often intersect, community organizations say the priority is ensuring people understand their rights and get reliable legal information early, long before a crisis at the border or a letter in the mailbox.
