Historic Immigration Reforms Reach Key Milestone Toward Becoming Law

The Canadian Senate has passed a bill that brings the most significant changes to the country's immigration system in decades. Bill C-12, which went through its third reading on March 12, 2026, introduces sweeping reforms that aim to strengthen Canada's borders, improve security, and better manage immigration.

Key Changes in Bill C-12

The bill proposes three major reforms that will affect how Canada handles immigration applications, asylum claims, and personal information sharing.

1. New Executive Powers Over Immigration Documents
   If the bill becomes law, the Governor in Council will be granted new powers to manage immigration applications and documents. These powers will allow the government to:
   
   • Stop processing certain immigration applications, including work permits, study permits, and permanent resident visas.
     
   • Cancel, suspend, or modify these immigration documents when deemed necessary.
     
   • Impose conditions on temporary residents as needed.
     
2. The government can use these powers in cases of administrative errors, fraud, public health concerns, or issues related to national security. After exercising these powers, the immigration minister must explain the actions to Parliament and disclose the affected individuals.
   
3. Reforming the Asylum Process
   Another important aspect of Bill C-12 is the reform of the asylum system. The bill introduces two new grounds for denying asylum claims:
   
   • If a claimant enters Canada after June 24, 2020, and applies for asylum more than one year after their arrival.
     
   • If a claimant enters from the Canada-U.S. land border but does so outside of an official port of entry.
     
4. These changes would be retroactive to June 2025, which is when Bill C-2 (the precursor to C-12) was first introduced. Despite these new restrictions, claimants who are ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) can still request a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA).
   
   Additionally, the bill requires the immigration department to report to Parliament within five years of the law’s enactment, detailing the number of claims from post-one-year claimants and the outcome of PRRAs.
   
5. Expanded Information Sharing
   The bill also increases the ability of the immigration department to share personal information. This information includes an individual’s identity, immigration status, and documents issued under the immigration minister’s authority. The immigration department can share this data with other government agencies and, in certain cases, foreign entities.
   
   However, the new provisions do not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, thanks to amendments made by Senator Paulette Senior.
   

Parliamentary Oversight and Future Reviews

The effectiveness of the reforms introduced by Bill C-12 will be subject to parliamentary oversight. A committee will be required to review the impact of the new measures five years after the law comes into effect. The committee will report to Parliament, offering insights into the law's outcomes and suggesting any necessary adjustments.

What’s Next for Bill C-12?

Since the bill was amended in the Senate, it must pass a third reading in the House of Commons before it can become law. For the bill to become an official act of Parliament, both the Senate and the House of Commons must agree on the same version, and it must receive royal assent.