Last Updated On 10 February 2026, 10:00 AM EST (Toronto Time)
OTTAWA—Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pushing a pivotal House of Commons vote today that would bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from filing refugee claims and close loopholes that have allowed extortion suspects to delay deportation proceedings.
The motion, introduced amid a national extortion crisis, also calls on the federal government to prevent asylum claims from individuals whose criminal cases are still before the courts.
Poilievre stated on social media Monday that non-citizens who commit serious crimes “must be forced to leave our country.”
⚠️ DEVELOPING STORY: We will update this story with the outcome if the vote happends today.
Table of Contents
Extortion Crisis Fuels Urgency
The Conservative motion comes as extortion rates have skyrocketed across Canada.
According to the Conservative Party, extortion has surged by 330% since 2015, while Statistics Canada data shows the crime rate increased approximately 300% over the past decade, with British Columbia experiencing a nearly 500% rise.
The crisis escalated in December 2025 when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) disclosed that 15 foreign nationals accused of extortion had applied for refugee status in Canada.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke expressed outrage, stating she was “appalled” that suspects identified by B.C.’s Extortion Task Force were claiming refugee status to avoid deportation.
Provincial Leaders Call for Action
British Columbia Premier David Eby has been vocal in criticizing the current system, calling it “absolutely ludicrous” that individuals accused in extortion-related shootings can claim refugee status to avoid being returned to India — the world’s largest democracy.
“Somebody involved in functionally, from my perspective, a terror attack in our community that is ongoing, is allowed to claim the benefits of refugee status in our country,” Eby said at a press conference last week, describing the situation in Surrey as “like a slow-motion terror attack.”
Several big city mayors have also pushed Ottawa to close what they call loopholes around asylum claims following the significant rise in extortion violence.
What the Conservative Motion Proposes
The motion targets several areas of current immigration and criminal justice policy:
- Bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims
- Prevent asylum claims from people with pending criminal court cases
- End lighter sentences designed to avoid deportation
- Address concerns about “catch-and-release” bail laws
The Conservatives cite several pieces of legislation as contributing to the current crisis.
They argue that former Bill C-5 eliminated mandatory jail time for serious gun crimes, including extortion with a firearm, while Bill C-75’s bail reforms force judges to apply a “principle of restraint” that puts repeat violent offenders back on the streets.
Current immigration and refugee laws allow individuals charged with serious crimes to claim refugee status and remain in Canada for a full hearing, rather than facing prompt deportation.
The CBSA confirmed that claims from the 15 extortion suspects were referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and are pending a Refugee Protection Division decision.
Deportation Statistics
Canada deported 731 criminals in 2024 and 734 in 2025, but critics say these numbers are insufficient given the scale of criminal activity by foreign nationals.
The CBSA currently faces a backlog of over 10,000 removal orders, with judicial reviews and appeals delaying deportations.
The motion aligns with policy proposals adopted at the recent Conservative Party convention in Calgary, where delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of pursuing immediate deportation of non-citizens convicted of serious offences, with a “default permanent ban on re-entry.”
About 77% of delegates endorsed the policy, which also includes provisions for “asset forfeiture” of foreign criminals forced to leave.
The vote comes as Conservatives and Liberals engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations on various legislative priorities.
Poilievre, fresh from winning a leadership review with 87.4% approval, has struck a more collaborative tone with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government on some issues while maintaining pressure on crime and immigration policy.
Government Response
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has stated that claiming asylum “cannot, and will not” prevent criminals from being punished, emphasizing that those who pose a risk to public safety remain subject to enforcement action at all times.
The government points to reforms in immigration Bill C-12 and borders Bill C-2 as “further action to prevent surges in asylum claims and misuse of the system.”
Both bills are currently before Parliament.
The House of Commons is expected to vote on the Conservative motion today.
While non-binding motions do not have the force of law, they send a strong political signal and can pressure the government to take legislative action.
INC – Immigration News Canada will update this article with the results of the vote and any subsequent government response.
📌 This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest updates on the House of Commons vote.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
New Ontario Minimum Wage Increase Coming In 2026
3 New CRA Benefits Payments For Ontario Residents in February 2026
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada For 2026 | New List