A controversial federal immigration bill granting expanded executive powers over Canada’s immigration system is moving closer to becoming law after clearing a key Senate committee without amendments.
Bill C-12, formally titled 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, was reported back to the Senate by the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs with no proposed changes. The bill is now scheduled for third reading in the Senate.
If passed in its current form and granted royal assent, C-12 would significantly expand the authority of the Governor in Council — effectively the governor general acting on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet — over immigration decisions.
The proposed legislation would allow the government to vary, suspend or cancel immigration documents such as work permits, study permits and permanent resident visas. It would also grant powers to pause or terminate the processing of applications, cease accepting new applications and impose additional conditions on temporary residents, provided such actions are deemed to be in the “public interest.”
Earlier amendments adopted by the House of Commons in December 2025 narrowed that definition. The revised language limits “public interest” to circumstances involving administrative errors, fraud, public health, public safety or national security. Those amendments also require the immigration minister to table a report in Parliament explaining any orders issued under these powers and outlining their impact.
The bill also proposes significant reforms to Canada’s asylum system. Among the changes are provisions making individuals ineligible for refugee protection if they entered Canada after June 24, 2020 and filed a claim more than one year after arrival. It would also bar asylum claims from individuals who crossed into Canada from the United States between official ports of entry.
Under current law, such individuals may still claim refugee protection if they wait at least 14 days after entering Canada. If enacted, C-12’s asylum restrictions would apply retroactively to the date the bill was introduced.
Lena Metlege Diab has defended the reforms, arguing that some temporary residents have misused the asylum system. In a recent speech, she stated that individuals who have been in Canada for over a year should not be seeking refugee status.
While the primary Senate committee recommended no amendments, the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology proposed sweeping changes in a separate report, including removing most executive powers, rolling back asylum reforms and eliminating expanded information-sharing provisions. However, because it was not the lead reviewing body, its recommendations are advisory only.
The bill has already undergone revisions in the House of Commons and is considered the successor to an earlier proposal, Bill C-2.
For C-12 to become law, it must pass third reading in identical form in both the House of Commons and the Senate and then receive royal assent.
In its report, the Senate committee also urged the federal government to provide additional resources to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to address application backlogs and improve efficiency, and called for stronger action against fraudulent immigration consultants.
With third reading imminent, the legislation is poised to reshape key aspects of Canada’s immigration and refugee system if senators approve it without further changes.