OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Lena Diab is defending the federal government’s sweeping new border security legislation, Bill C-2, amid mounting criticism from legal experts and advocacy groups who warn it poses serious threats to civil liberties and undermines the rights of asylum seekers in Canada.
One of the most contentious changes in the 127-page bill would bar individuals from making asylum claims if they’ve been in Canada for more than a year — a measure that would be retroactive to June 3 if the bill becomes law. Critics argue the change could penalize vulnerable individuals who may have delayed claims due to trauma, legal confusion, or lack of resources.
Diab insisted Wednesday that the bill includes safeguards, such as pre-removal risk assessments, to ensure that genuine refugees still have pathways to protection. “This will streamline the process to make sure those who truly need our protection are processed faster,” she said.
The bill also proposes expanded powers for immigration authorities, including the ability to cancel or suspend immigration documents for reasons of health or national security, increased search authority over international mail, and broader security responsibilities for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Another flashpoint is the government’s plan to enable Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to share immigrants’ and refugees’ personal information with provincial and territorial governments. Critics say this infringes on privacy and due process.
“Everyone thinks they have nothing to hide — until the government starts digging into their personal lives without cause,” said immigration lawyer Zool Suleman, who warned the legislation echoes long-standing fears that Ottawa would expand state surveillance under the guise of immigration reform.
Diab responded by saying that the information-sharing would be strictly governed by intergovernmental agreements and used only when necessary to streamline services such as citizenship and passport processing. “Most Canadians probably think this is already happening — but it’s not,” she said, adding that safeguards will be in place.
Under the new bill, some asylum claims — particularly those from migrants who crossed via U.S. land borders — would no longer be reviewed by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Instead, decisions would be made through a lower-tier, paper-based review system, raising concerns about reduced transparency and fairness.
Suleman noted this shift could significantly weaken the rights of refugee claimants. “This is a move away from oral hearings, away from accountability, and toward bureaucracy deciding the fate of people in silence.”
Bill C-2 comes at a time when the federal government is trying to reduce immigration levels, ease the asylum system backlog, and crack down on perceived misuse of immigration pathways — particularly a recent spike in international students filing asylum claims after their visas expired.
The minister emphasized that the asylum system is meant for those fleeing persecution — not those seeking to bypass immigration rules. “If you want to immigrate to Canada, we have rules. We have processes. Please use them,” Diab said.
As Parliament prepares to debate the bill in the coming weeks, civil rights advocates are preparing for a legal and public pushback, warning that Canada’s global reputation as a safe haven for refugees is on the line.