Strong Borders Act
| Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Canada | |
| |
| Considered by | House of Commons of Canada |
| Considered by | Senate of Canada |
| Legislative history | |
| Initiating chamber: House of Commons of Canada | |
| Bill title | Bill C-12 |
| Introduced by | Gary Anandasangaree |
| First reading | 8 October 2025 |
| Second reading | 23 October 2025 |
| Third reading | 11 December 2025 |
| Revising chamber: Senate of Canada | |
| First reading | 11 December 2025 |
| Second reading | Pending |
| Third reading | Pending |
| Keywords | |
| asylum, immigration | |
| Status: Pending | |
The Strong Borders Act (French: Loi visant une sécurité rigoureuse à la frontière) also known as Bill C-2 was a proposed piece of legislation of the 45th Parliament of Canada. The legislation increases the scope of agencies to perform border enforcement and anti-trafficking measures. The legislation, furthermore, would bar those seeking asylum in Canada who have been in the country for over a year from having a hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board.[1][2]
Bill C-2 was introduced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and supported by the Liberal Party of Canada under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Opposition came from the Conservative Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party of Canada due to the bill allowing for law enforcement to access user data and open mail without a warrant.
The bill was discarded due the opposition it faced and was reintroduced by Anandasangaree with amendments as Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act.
Contents of the bill
| Strong Borders Act | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Canada | |
| |
| Considered by | House of Commons of Canada |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill title | Bill C-2 |
| Introduced by | Gary Anandasangaree |
| First reading | 3 June 2025 |
| Status: Not passed | |
Bill C-2 proposed that those who are seeking asylum, and have been in the country over a year, are not allowed to have a hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board, which in effect also prevents them from obtaining work permits and health coverage. The bill also would have prevented asylum seekers who have been in Canada for more than 14 days from seeking asylum if they illegally crossed a US Border.[2]
Reception
Criticism
Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre opposed Bill C-2 and stated that it "attacks the freedoms and the privacy of Canadians".[3] Opposition from both the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party, citing concerns with the powers it would grant law enforcement to access user data and open mail without a warrant, led to Liberal Minister of Public Safety Anandasangaree leaving the bill and reintroducing it as Bill C-12 with amendments.[4][5]
Bill C-2 has elicited controversy for its treatment of asylum seekers and critics argue it infringes on civil rights.[1] The Canadian Council for Refugees has criticized the bill stating that the bill would make it impossible for many asylum seekers to have a hearing. The bill, in its current form, is argued that it will create a class of people who can neither have a hearing, because they have been in the country for over a year, nor be removed, because Canada has barred deportations to their native countries.[2]
Professor Michael Geist stated that Bill C-2 risks "warrantless access to personal information and increased surveillance capabilities in Canadian networks".[6]
Support
Bill C-2 was supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. They argue that the bill will empower law enforcement to be better equipped to counter trafficking operations.[7]
See also
- Online Harms Act
- Combatting Hate Act
References
- ^ a b Schneid, Rebecca (4 June 2025). "What's in Canada's Immigration Bill, Why It's Causing Worry". TIME. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Woolf, Marie (10 July 2025). "Border bill would create 'in limbo' foreign residents, refugee groups say". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Conservatives won't support Liberal border bill without major changes: Pierre Poilievre". CBC News. 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Government to table new border bill amid C-2 privacy concerns: sources". CBC News. 6 October 2025.
- ^ "Liberals introduce 2nd border bill with aim to quickly pass less controversial measures". CBC News. 8 October 2025.
- ^ "Government Doubles Down in Defending Bill C-2's Information Demand Powers That Open the Door to Warrantless Access of Personal Information". Michael Geist. 17 September 2025.
- ^ Carrique, Thomas. "Statement: Canada's Police Chiefs Welcome the Strong Borders Act" (PDF). Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Retrieved 11 July 2025.