In June 2025 the government of Canada presented bill Bill C-2, Strong Borders Act.
The document has two key aims:
- Strengthening of national security and border control, in particular fight with transnational criminality, money laundering and illegal circulation of fentanyl.
- Modernization of immigration and asylum system, including new rules of processing of applications and powers of IRCC.
The government explains the initiative by necessity quickly to react to global challenges.
However, lawyers and human rights defenders warn: the bill can essentially change Canadian immigration model, making it less predictable and selective.
- New instruments of security
The bill contains provisions which expand possibilities of the state:
- Border control: 1000 new border officers, investments into drones and scanners, additional powers regarding inspection of containers.
- Financial transparency: increase of fines for money laundering and financing of terrorism; strengthening of reporting for banks, accounting firms and other “reporting subjects”.
- Precursors of narcotics: creation of accelerated procedure of control over chemicals which are used for production of narcotic substances.
- Access to digital data: law enforcement receive possibility of access to electronic information and data of subscribers through court warrants. This increases effectiveness of investigations, but generates questions regarding privacy and observance of the Charter of rights and freedoms.
- Powers of IRCC in sphere of immigration
Bill C-2 significantly expands role of the Ministry of Immigration (IRCC):
- Cancellation and suspension of applications. For the first time in legislation directly is fixed the right to annul already submitted or even considered applications “in interests of the state”.
- Suspension of reception of new applications. In case of threat for the system or “overloading” IRCC can temporarily close whole category or program.
- Modification of documents. Possibility to change conditions or status of documents for whole groups of applicants.
These changes give flexibility to the government, but simultaneously undermine principle of predictability and “due process” for immigrants.
- Modernization of the system of granting asylum
The bill is positioned as attempt to make process of granting asylum “faster and more accessible”. Provided:
- online-applications;
- unification of procedures at border and in offices;
- faster transfer of cases to IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board).
But simultaneously new restrictions are introduced:
- applications submitted later than through one year after arrival to Canada (after 24 June 2020) will no longer be considered;
- applications submitted after 14 days from moment of illegal crossing of border with USA also will not be transferred to IRB.
The only alternative for such persons — Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), which has limited scope of protection.
- Scales of problem: backlogs
According to official data, as of 31 July 2025 in the system there were more than 2.2 million applications:
- 892 400 – for permanent residence;
- 1 079 300 – for temporary residence;
- the rest – for citizenship.
Half of applications for PR and 38% of applications for temporary residence already exceeded established terms of processing.
Bill C-2 in fact creates mechanism of “cleaning” of the system from accumulated applications, which earlier was impossible (exception – precedent of 2012, when government of Harper cancelled tens of thousands of applications in category Federal Skilled Worker).
- Who under the greatest risk
Category | Why vulnerable | Potential consequences |
Startup Visa and Self-Employed | Record-long terms of processing (53+ months) | Probable mass annulment of applications |
Temporary workers and students | Large number of applications, dependence on temporary status | Loss of status, risk of deportation |
Humanitarian programs and refugees | Low economic return, lengthy procedures | Limitation or stoppage of consideration of applications |
Applicants from “risky countries” or with minor criminal records | Political expediency and profiling | Selective exclusion of whole groups of applicants |
Lawyers warn: concept “in interests of the state” is so broad that allows the government to act at own discretion, changing rules “on the go”.
- Political context and change of accents
- Aim of the government – not only security, but also reduction of migration flow.
- Change of quotas: provincial quotas reduced from 110 thousand to 55 thousand.
- Priorities: economically beneficial categories – medics, STEM-specialists, agrarians, builders.
- Trend to the right: Canada gradually departs from model of broad humanitarian admission to model of selection of “useful” cadres.
Conclusions
Bill C-2, Strong Borders Act – this is not simply technical amendments to immigration legislation. This is deep reform, which:
- strengthens security mechanisms of the state;
- endows IRCC with unprecedented powers regarding management of applications;
- changes balance between humanitarian and economic immigration.
For immigrants and applicants the main risk becomes unpredictability: even lawfully submitted and paid applications can be cancelled without right to restoration.
For human rights defenders and lawyers – this is signal about necessity attentively to watch for realization of the law and to protect principles of fair process.
For the government – this is instrument quickly to reduce backlogs, but also political risk: excessive restriction can undermine reputation of Canada as country with transparent and stable immigration system.
