Sweeping Changes Coming to Canadian Immigration With Bill C-2

Although the 2025 Canadian Federal Election resulted in a fourth consecutive government headed by the Liberal Party of Canada, early indications from the new term suggest a departure from the status quo. The new Liberal Government, headed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has taken swift action to uphold one of the promises from their election platform regarding border security.

The Minister of Public Safety has introduced Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act. If implemented, the Bill will significantly impact Canada’s immigration system and, of course, its borders.

Bill C-2: The Strong Borders Act

On June 3, 2025, Public Safety Canada posted a press release that details the rationale for the Strong Borders Act. The Government of Canada has indicated that the aims of the Strong Borders Act are to keep Canada’s borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering. Additionally, the Canadian Government believes that the Bill will enhance the integrity and fairness of Canada’s immigration system.

Securing the Border

The Bill would expand the Canadian Border Service Agency’s powers to access locations under the control of transporters and warehouse operators to examine goods that are to be exported. It would also give the Canadian Border Services Agency increased authority to examine goods at ports of entry and exit.

The Canadian Coast Guard will begin conducting security-related activities, such as security patrols, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be enhanced in their ability to share information on registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement partners.

Additionally, there is a focus on protecting Canada’s refugee system from an increased number of asylum seekers by introducing new eligibility rules. Further, the Bill would improve how asylum claims are received, processed, and decided. More information on potential changes to Canada’s refugee system was included in a later post about the Bill.

Lastly, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will have strengthened authority to cancel, suspend and change immigration documents and applications. There is to be an improvement in how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada shares client information with partners at the provincial, territorial, and federal levels.

Illicit Substances

There is a specific focus on the Strong Borders Act on controlling drugs, such as fentanyl, from being produced and distributed in Canada and across our borders. The Bill will create a new scheduling pathway that allows the Minister of Health to control precursor chemicals better, preventing their importation for illicit uses. The Bill also contains amendments to the Criminal Code and other legislation to help law enforcement access information and data to assist with investigations. Further, Canada’s Post’s inspection authority to open mail will be expanded, and the police will be given greater powers to open mail.

These changes should help with enforcement against the illicit drug trade. They will potentially help to improve Canada’s relationship with the United States, as illicit fentanyl smuggling across the border was at the forefront of the tariff discussions earlier in 2025.

Illicit Finances

The Bill contains many provisions that will help to curb money laundering. It will restrict large cash transactions and third-party deposits and strengthen anti-money laundering penalties. Further, the Bill will increase regulatory standards and transparency in monetary transactions.

Additional Information about the Strong Borders Act Provided by Federal Government

On June 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada posted a notice that provides additional information about the Strong Borders Act. The notice provides details regarding certain aspects of the Bill.

For instance, the Government of Canada is to be given sweeping powers to suspend, cancel, or stop accepting new applications or change immigration documents when it is determined to be in the public interest to do so. The public interest includes risks to immigration, safety and security risks to Canadians, misuse of Government-funded programs, large-scale emergencies, and other unpredictable scenarios.

The notice clarified that the new legislation would not allow the Government of Canada to cancel asylum claims; the expanded authority will only apply to immigration documents and applications, such as visas, electronic travel authorizations, and work and study permits. The notice further indicated that if an order is made to change the status of someone’s immigration documents, it would not immediately take away their status as a permanent or temporary resident.

However, it remains to be seen how these powers will be used and their impacts. Although there are laws and processes in place for the loss of status for permanent and temporary residents, these changes will likely cause confusion and uncertainty for many permit and visa holders, as their permits and visas can be revoked much more easily because of the Bill.

Information Sharing

The notice also details how information regarding immigration would be shared within Canada with provincial partners. The notice explicitly states that the changes in the Bill would not impact information sharing with the United States. Client information is to be shared between the levels of government to confirm the identities of people who arrive in Canada, give people access to public services, detect people defrauding benefit programs and other services, and carry out law and border enforcement activities. There is detail regarding how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be allowed to use the information, as the use of personal information is not unrestricted and is subject to privacy laws.

Asylum

The notice contains extensive information on Canada’s asylum system. The asylum process is to be simplified and will be the same whether someone makes a refugee claim at a port of entry or at an inland IRCC office. Numerous changes are being made to speed up the process and facilitate voluntary departures. Inactive cases are to be removed from the system, and claims are only to be decided while a claimant is physically present in Canada.

Further changes will make more people ineligible to make asylum claims. People who entered Canada after June 24, 2020, and made their asylum claim a year or more after they arrived will no longer have their claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board. This applies to everyone, including students and temporary residents. Also, people who enter Canada from the US between ports of entry will no longer have their claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board if they make a claim after being in Canada for 14 days or longer.

Once the legislation comes into force, these changes will apply to refugee claims made on June 3, 2025, and after. The notice indicates that this is not a ban on claiming asylum. It will help avoid bottlenecks and help the Immigration and Refugee Board address new claims while working through its backlog. Those impacted by the changes can still make an application for a pre-removal risk assessment, so there are options available to asylum seekers who are impacted by the new ineligibility conditions.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Assistance With Canadian Immigration Issues

These are significant changes to Canada’s refugee and immigration systems as a whole. Based on the Bill, there will likely be more changes and clarifications in the future, so anyone affected by these changes should keep apprised of the current situation to avoid being caught out by a change that impacts them.

The talented immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law are highly experienced in helping our clients with immigration matters. We provide honest, trusted opinions and work with prospective newcomers to Canada to give them the best chance of making successful applications.

At our firm, we develop effective, pragmatic solutions for clients in all immigration matters, including permanent residence, citizenship, and US immigration. For a confidential consultation on your immigration matter, please contact us online or call 416-321-2860.