Canada Unveils Sweeping Border Security Enhancements with New Legislation

Federal Government Details Border Security Strategy

Ottawa, Canada – The Canadian federal government today provided further details on its extensive plans to strengthen border security, building on the introduction of new legislation earlier this month. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is scheduled to hold a news conference, following Prime Minister Mark Carney's tour of a border crossing facility in the Niagara region. This announcement follows the tabling of Bill C-12, the 'Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act,' on October 8, 2025, which aims to enhance national security, combat organized crime, and modernize the immigration system.

Key Legislative Measures and Investments

The new legislation, which incorporates elements from the previous Bill C-2, known as the 'Strong Borders Act,' introduces several significant changes. A core component of this strategy is the government's 'Border Plan,' which allocates $1.3 billion towards concrete actions to secure communities. This includes a $200 million investment for Public Safety Canada and the Communications Security Establishment Canada to bolster intelligence gathering on transnational organized crime and illegal fentanyl, facilitating information sharing with law enforcement partners in Canada and the United States. Additionally, $743.5 million over five years, with $159.5 million ongoing, is earmarked to support the stability and integrity of Canada's asylum system by increasing processing and decision-making capacity.

Expanded Roles and Enhanced Information Sharing

The proposed amendments within Bill C-12 will significantly expand the operational scope of key agencies. The Oceans Act will be amended to allow the Canadian Coast Guard to undertake security patrols and to collect, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence for security purposes, marking an expanded role for the agency.

Furthermore, the legislation seeks to enhance information sharing capabilities:

• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will have an improved ability to share information regarding registered sex offenders with both domestic and international law enforcement partners.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will gain additional authority to share client information more broadly with federal, provincial, and territorial partners through signed agreements.

Tightening Immigration and Combating Crime

The new measures also focus on strengthening the integrity of the immigration system and intensifying efforts against various forms of crime. The bill introduces new ineligibility rules to protect the asylum system from sudden surges in claims and improves the process for receiving, processing, and deciding asylum applications. Authorities will also have strengthened powers to cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents and to halt the acceptance of new applications when deemed in the public interest.

To combat transnational organized crime, the legislation includes provisions to:

• Amend the Customs Act to secure borders against illicit drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and auto theft.
• Obligate owners and operators at certain ports of entry/exit to provide facilities for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforcement.
• Allow CBSA access to premises controlled by transporters and warehouse operators for export examinations.
• Accelerate the scheduling pathway for precursor chemicals used in illicit drugs, ensuring strict federal oversight.
• Strengthen Canada's anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime, including through stronger penalties.

These comprehensive changes underscore the government's commitment to a more secure and controlled border environment.