Canada: Immigration and Border Security Bill Expands Government Oversight Powers
March 27, 2026
Canada has enacted Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which is aimed at safeguarding border security and reinforcing the integrity of the immigration system. The legislation grants broad discretionary powers to the government to intervene in immigration processing where deemed in the public interest, including in cases involving fraud, administrative error, public health, public safety, or national security. These powers include the ability to suspend or terminate the processing of applications, halt the intake of new applications, and cancel, vary, or impose conditions on immigration documents such as work permits, study permits, and visas. While expansive, these powers are subject to enhanced oversight, including mandatory reporting to Parliament by the immigration minister.
Bill C-12 also introduces notable reforms to Canada’s asylum framework. New ineligibility criteria prevent certain claims from being referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, including claims filed more than one year after entry and claims from individuals who entered Canada irregularly from the United States. These measures apply retroactively to claims made on or after June 3, 2025. Although ineligible claimants retain access to pre-removal risk assessments, the changes are expected to reduce the volume of claims entering the formal refugee determination system and accelerate processing timelines.
Additionally, the law expands the government’s authority to share immigration-related personal information across federal, provincial, and territorial bodies, as well as with foreign entities (subject to ministerial approval).
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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