| Key Points at a Glance |
|---|
| The proposed “Strong Borders Act” will give Canadian authorities increased powers to control asylum claims, monitor borders, and access personal information. It introduces strict eligibility timelines for asylum seekers and enhances efficiency within the Immigration and Refugee Board. The Bill intensifies Canada’s crackdown on organized crime, illegal drugs, and money laundering through legislative updates across multiple federal acts. |
Canada’s government has proposed sweeping legislative changes through Canada’s New Immigration Bill, officially titled the Strong Borders Act. Proposed by Immigration Minister Lena Diab, the legislation aims to strengthen national security, combat transnational organized crime, and enhance the integrity of the immigration and asylum systems.
While the Bill is positioned as a response to rising concerns about illegal activities at the border, critics have raised alarms over potential civil liberty infringements. Below is a breakdown of the key components of the proposed law.
1. Enhancing Border Security
Expanded Role of the Canadian Coast Guard
| Amended Act | New Powers |
| Oceans Act | Security patrols, intelligence gathering, and maritime surveillance, particularly in the Arctic. |
Monitoring and Intelligence Sharing
- The Sex Offender Information Registration Act will allow the RCMP to share sex offender data with international partners, including U.S. authorities.
- Cross-agency data sharing will be expanded under amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, facilitating more seamless immigration processing.
2. Immigration Document Control and Asylum Reform
Authority Over Immigration Documents
Canada’s new immigration law allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to:
- Suspend or cancel groups of immigration documents.
- Pause new application intake or halt processing for public safety or national security.
Modernizing the Asylum System
| Proposed Change | Purpose |
| Online process unification | Streamlines applications at ports of entry and inland offices. |
| Inactive claims removal | Frees up system resources. |
| Same-day removal orders | Accelerates voluntary departures. |
| Support for vulnerable claimants | Includes assigning representatives to minors or those with limited understanding. |
Ineligibility Measures
- No asylum claims will be referred to the IRB if filed more than one year after first arrival (post-June 24, 2020).
- Claims made 14+ days after entering Canada from the U.S. between ports of entry will be ineligible.
❗ However, affected individuals may still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) to prevent deportation to unsafe countries.
3. Tackling Organized Crime & Drug Trafficking
Faster Control of Precursor Chemicals
| Target Act | Purpose |
| Controlled Drugs and Substances Act & Cannabis Act | Rapid scheduling of chemicals used in drug production. |
Digital-Age Law Enforcement Tools
- Criminal Code amendments enable access to digital evidence and urgent data retrieval without a warrant in life-threatening situations.
- Customs Act changes will facilitate export inspections at transportation hubs.
4. Strengthening Surveillance & Communication Oversight
Supporting the Authorized Access to Information Act (SAAIA)
This new Act mandates that Electronic Service Providers (ESPs) support law enforcement by enabling authorized interception of digital communications.
Canada Post Reform
- Police may now legally search mail during criminal investigations.
- Canada Post inspectors will have increased authority to open packages.
5. Fighting Money Laundering and Financial Crime
| Area Reformed | Key Changes |
| PCMLTFA | Increased penalties, new restrictions on cash deposits, and expanded business registration. |
| PIPEDA | Clarifies public-to-private data sharing. |
| OSFI Act | Includes FINTRAC in Canada’s financial oversight committee. |
These changes aim to support the Integrated Money Laundering Intelligence Partnership (IMLIP), facilitating real-time collaboration between banks and law enforcement.
Criticism and Concerns
While the federal government emphasizes public safety and immigration integrity, civil rights advocates argue that:
- Expanding police powers and mail inspection authorities could threaten personal privacy.
- Asylum eligibility restrictions may violate international humanitarian commitments.
Canada’s New Immigration Bill marks a major shift in the country’s approach to border control, asylum policy, and crime prevention. As the legislation moves through parliamentary review, it will likely be a flashpoint for debate between national security interests and civil liberties