Maple News reports that Bill C-12, titled the “Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act,” is moving closer to becoming law. The proposed legislation aims to give the federal government expanded powers to manage and regulate the intake and processing of immigration applications across multiple programs.
If passed in its current form, the bill would authorize the governor general, guided by the federal Cabinet, to temporarily halt the acceptance of new immigration applications or suspend the processing of existing ones. The affected programs would include applications for permanent resident visas, work permits, study permits, visitor visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), and even permanent residence cards.
Additionally, the legislation would empower the Canadian government to revise or impose new conditions on temporary resident documents and their holders—namely international workers, students, and visitors. These changes could be implemented to ensure compliance not only within the framework of immigration laws but also in broader areas of public safety, health, and national interest.
Notably, Bill C-12 does not grant the government new authority to approve permanent residence or directly issue or extend work and study permits. The bill’s focus is primarily on regulation, oversight, and enforcement during extraordinary circumstances.
To address concerns over sweeping discretionary powers, Parliament has adopted amendments to introduce safeguards. According to Maple News, the bill establishes that such powers can only be exercised when it is deemed in the “public interest,” defined under scenarios involving administrative errors, fraud, threats to public health or safety, and national security issues.
As part of transparency measures, the bill mandates that any invocation of these powers will require the immigration minister to table a detailed report in Parliament. This report must outline the reasons behind the action, the volume of affected applicants or documents, and the impacted groups.
For those considering immigration to Canada, this potential legal shift could mean less predictability in processing during emergency situations. Nonetheless, immigration pathways remain open, and the bill seeks to balance operational flexibility with accountability.
As of now, Bill C-12 has passed its third reading in the House of Commons and awaits final legislative steps before becoming law.
Maple News will continue to follow developments on this landmark immigration legislation and its implications for newcomers and stakeholders in Canada’s immigration system.