Maple News reports that proposed amendments to Bill C-12—Canada’s sweeping border and immigration reform legislation—seek to significantly limit the federal government’s executive authority over immigration processes.
Bill C-12, titled “An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system,” originally proposed to give the governor general exceptional powers to intervene in immigration matters. These powers included suspending or cancelling applications, revoking or altering immigration documents like work and study permits, and changing conditions for temporary residents—all based on a broad interpretation of the “public interest.”
However, following committee review, members of Parliament have introduced new language that restricts the scope of “public interest” to more concrete factors: administrative errors, fraud, public health threats, public safety concerns, and national security. If passed with these revisions, the bill would prevent decisions that might otherwise appear arbitrary or politically motivated.
The amendments are designed to enhance accountability. Under the proposed changes, any action undertaken using these emergency powers must be followed by a detailed report to Parliament. The immigration minister would be required to justify the decision, enumerate those impacted, and explain the rationale for invoking such measures.
The bill is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny in its report stage. During this phase, members may propose further changes before it moves to its third reading in the House of Commons. For the bill to become law, it must successfully pass votes in both the House and the Senate, followed by royal assent.
Although the governor general holds these formal powers, they typically act only on the advice of the prime minister and federal cabinet. Still, lawmakers and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the breadth of unchecked authority over individual immigration statuses, prompting calls for tighter legislative safeguards.
Maple News will continue monitoring the progress of Bill C-12 as it advances through Canada’s legislative process. If enacted with the new amendments, the bill would represent a significant recalibration of how Canada balances national security, public interest, and immigration fairness.