Canada Introduces Bill C-12 to Bolster Border Security and Immigration System

Government Tables New Border Security Legislation

The Canadian government officially introduced Bill C-12, known as the 'Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act,' on October 8, 2025. The legislation was tabled by the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, and is designed to fortify Canada's borders, disrupt organized criminal activities, and update the country's immigration framework. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to equip law enforcement and border agencies with modernized tools to address evolving security challenges and improve the integrity of the immigration system.

Enhanced Border Security Measures

Bill C-12 proposes several key amendments to bolster border security. It seeks to:

• Amend the Customs Act to grant the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) access to premises controlled by transporters and warehouse operators for the purpose of conducting export inspections. This aims to align export inspection capabilities with existing import requirements.
• Expand the mandate of the Canadian Coast Guard under the Oceans Act, allowing it to undertake security patrols and collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence for maritime security purposes. This is particularly relevant for strengthening sovereignty and awareness in remote areas, including the Arctic.

These measures are intended to provide border officials with greater authority and flexibility to manage and secure Canada's entry and exit points effectively. The bill is part of the larger Canadian Border Plan, which includes a $1.3 billion investment to enhance border security infrastructure and operations.

Combating Organized Crime and Illicit Activities

A significant focus of Bill C-12 is on disrupting transnational organized crime and illicit financing. The legislation includes provisions to:

• Enhance the ability of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to share information regarding registered sex offenders with both domestic and international law enforcement partners, including those in the United States.
• Introduce an accelerated scheduling pathway for precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs, enabling the Minister of Health to rapidly control these substances. This will allow for swift action against the illegal importation and use of such chemicals.
• Strengthen Canada's anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime, which includes the implementation of stronger penalties for related offenses.

These changes aim to modernize the legal authorities available to law enforcement agencies, allowing them to more effectively counter sophisticated criminal networks involved in activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

Modernizing Immigration Controls

The bill also addresses the modernization of Canada's immigration system, with specific changes aimed at improving efficiency and integrity:

• Granting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) additional authority to share client information, such as identity and status, with federal, provincial, and territorial partners through formal agreements.
• Allowing the government to cancel, suspend, or modify immigration documents, and to suspend or cease accepting new applications when deemed to be in the public interest.
• Introducing new ineligibility rules for asylum claimants, stipulating that claims made more than one year after an individual's initial arrival in Canada (retroactive to June 24, 2020) would not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

These provisions are designed to streamline the asylum process, protect the integrity of the immigration system, and provide the government with greater control in managing immigration flows.

Context and Path Forward

Bill C-12 was introduced following the government's decision to split an earlier piece of legislation, Bill C-2 (the 'Strong Borders Act'), which had faced criticism for some of its more contentious elements, such as warrantless access to personal data and expanded mail searches. By separating these measures, the government hopes that Bill C-12, containing the less controversial provisions, will receive broader support and achieve swifter passage through Parliament. Minister Anandasangaree has expressed optimism that this approach will facilitate the timely implementation of crucial updates to Canada's border security and immigration framework.