Maple News reports Senate amends sweeping immigration bill, adds asylum oversight

Maple News reports that the Senate, in its third reading of a major immigration bill, has adopted an amendment that adds heightened oversight to proposed asylum limitations. The amendment would require the government to prepare a report detailing asylum claims deemed ineligible because they were filed one year after entry into Canada. Senators are continuing to debate the bill, with room for further amendments. If the bill clears the Senate’s third reading with amendments, it would return to the House of Commons for three additional readings before becoming law. Bill C-12, officially titled An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, would grant sweeping executive powers to the government. Under C-12, the Governor in Council could pause processing of immigration applications, suspend or terminate processing, and modify or cancel immigration documents such as permanent residence cards, work permits, and study permits, while also imposing conditions on temporary residents. These powers would be bounded by a public-interest standard defined as matters relating to administrative errors, fraud, public health, public safety, or national security. The legislation also overhauls Canada’s asylum regime, including a one-year cap on asylum claims and a prohibition on claims filed by individuals who entered Canada irregularly from the United States. Maple News notes these reforms would constitute the most significant changes to Canada’s immigration framework in two decades and could have wide-ranging implications for applicants, employers, and border communities. Maple News will continue to monitor the bill as it moves through Parliament and as lawmakers consider additional amendments.