Canada’s federal government has introduced a revised version of Bill C-12, officially titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, aiming to beef up border security, crack down on organized crime and illicit fentanyl flows, and modernize immigration controls.
The new legislation builds off elements from the earlier Bill C-2 but shifts away from certain controversial powers: notably, it removes the “lawful access” provision and drops the authority to expand Canada Post inspections.
Under Bill C-12, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would gain broader access to export hubs, warehouses, and transport facilities; the coast guard would have enhanced powers for patrol and intelligence functions; and information sharing across federal immigration, law enforcement, and financial agencies would be strengthened.
In the area of immigration and asylum, the bill proposes stricter rules for processing claims: only “scheduling ready” cases may go before the Immigration & Refugee Board, withdrawn claims become immediately enforceable as removal orders, and inactive cases could be removed from the system.
However, civil liberties advocates have raised significant concerns. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association warns that provisions in Bill C-12 replicate elements of C-2 that would limit refugee rights, give the government broad powers to cancel valid immigration documents, and erode privacy protections.
The government defends the bill as essential given evolving security challenges, particularly the trafficking of fentanyl, money laundering, and transnational crime. It says safeguards will remain in place to protect individual rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
As the bill moves through Parliament, debates are expected to be heated — especially over how to balance security mandates with the rights of refugees, migrants, and Canadians’ civil liberties.