Bill C-12: What Proposed Changes Could Mean for Canada’s Immigration System
A proposed piece of legislation known as Bill C-12, formally titled Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, is moving closer to becoming law and could introduce significant changes to how immigration applications and temporary resident documents are managed in Canada.
If enacted in its current form, the bill would give the Governor General, acting on the advice of Cabinet, expanded authority to pause, stop, or discontinue the processing of certain immigration-related applications. This authority would apply not only to new submissions but also to applications that are already in progress.
Which applications could be affected?
The scope of Bill C-12 is broad. The government would have the ability to intervene in the processing of various immigration documents, including:
- Permanent resident visa applications
- Work permits and study permits
- Temporary resident visas (TRVs)
- Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs)
- Permanent resident cards
These powers would allow the government to respond quickly to systemic issues that may arise within the immigration system.
Authority over temporary residents and conditions
In addition to application processing, the bill proposes giving the government flexibility to change or impose conditionson temporary resident documents and on temporary residents themselves—such as international students, foreign workers, and visitors.
These conditions could be adjusted to ensure compliance not only with immigration laws but also with other applicable Canadian regulations. Importantly, however, Bill C-12 does not grant authority to approve permanent residence, nor does it allow the government to issue or extend work or study permits through these new powers.
Safeguards and limitations
While the proposed powers are extensive, amendments added during the House of Commons review introduced safeguards to limit how and when they can be used.
The bill specifies that these authorities may only be exercised when it is deemed to be in the public interest. The legislation outlines examples of what may qualify as public interest considerations, including:
- Administrative or system-wide errors
- Fraud prevention
- Public health concerns
- Public safety issues
- National security matters
To ensure accountability, the bill requires the Minister of Immigration to report to Parliament whenever such powers are used. These reports must explain the reasoning behind the decision and provide details on how many applications or individuals were affected.
What this could mean for newcomers
For many applicants, these changes may raise concerns about uncertainty. However, in cases involving fraud or processing errors, legitimate applicants could benefit from clearer corrections and stronger system integrity.
Bill C-12 also includes changes to Canada’s refugee and asylum framework, allowing immigration officials to determine that certain claims have been abandoned or withdrawn under defined circumstances, potentially streamlining backlogged processes.
What is the bill’s current status?
Bill C-12 has already passed its third reading in the House of Commons and has completed its first reading in the Senate. For it to become law, it must pass final readings in the Senate and receive Royal Assent.
The Senate is expected to resume its review when it reconvenes in February 2026. Historically, legislation approved by the House of Commons is rarely rejected by the Senate, making it likely that Bill C-12 will eventually become law.