What the “Strong Borders Act” - Bill C-2 Means for Immigration in Canada

On June 3, 2025, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, for its first reading in Parliament. This sweeping legislative proposal is designed to enhance border security, crack down on transnational crime, and modernize Canada’s immigration and asylum systems.

While much of Bill C-2 addresses organized crime and drug trafficking, several provisions directly affect immigrants, asylum seekers, and temporary residents, especially those already in Canada.

To become law, Bill C-2 must pass three readings in the House of Commons, be approved by the Senate, and receive Royal Assent.

Here’s what you need to know about the immigration-related changes proposed in this bill:

1. Increased Information Sharing Across Immigration Programs

Bill C-2 proposes amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, allowing:

• IRCC to share client information—such as identity, status, and immigration documents—with other federal, provincial, and territorial programs through signed agreements;

• Cross-program data usage within IRCC, such as using PR application data for citizenship processing;

• Enhanced cooperation among government departments for immigration-related matters.

Why it matters: Streamlining data across programs could lead to faster processing, but it also raises the bar for accuracy and consistency in your applications.

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2. New Powers to Suspend or Cancel Immigration Applications

Under Bill C-2, IRCC would gain the power to:

• Cancel, suspend, or change groups of immigration documents in the public interest (e.g. for health or national security reasons);

• Pause the acceptance or processing of new and existing immigration applications.

Why it matters: These powers give the government broader discretion to intervene in immigration processes during emergencies—highlighting the need for strategic and timely applications.

3. Tighter Deadlines and Rules for Asylum Claims

The proposed changes would significantly reshape Canada’s asylum process:

• Require that asylum claims be made within one year of arriving in Canada (for those who entered after June 24, 2020);

• Disqualify refugee claims made more than 14 days after entering Canada irregularly from the U.S.;

• Refer complete claims directly to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to speed up processing;

• Automatically issue removal orders the same day a claim is withdrawn;

• Support vulnerable claimants by assigning representatives for minors or those unfamiliar with the process.

Why it matters: Delays in claiming asylum could now result in ineligibility. Students, workers, or visitors in precarious situations should seek legal advice before making a refugee claim.

4. Removal of Inactive Asylum Cases

Bill C-2 also proposes to clean up the backlog by:

• Removing inactive or abandoned claims from the asylum system;

• Simplifying the process across both border points and inland offices.

Why it matters: This change could help speed up genuine claims—but it also means that incomplete or inactive cases may be eliminated from the system more quickly than before.

5. Support for Vulnerable Asylum Seekers

To protect minors and those facing difficulty navigating the system, the bill would:

• Assign designated representatives during IRCC and CBSA proceedings;

• Improve clarity and accessibility of the asylum application process.

Why it matters: Vulnerable populations would gain some protection, but timely and accurate filing remains critical.

A System Under Transformation

With Bill C-2 now tabled and entering its first reading, the Canadian immigration landscape is once again shifting. The proposed legislation reflects a tougher stance on delays, irregular entry, and system inefficiencies, while offering improved support for the most vulnerable.

Whether you’re a temporary resident seeking PR, a refugee claimant, or simply preparing your application, these changes could affect your path.