(CANADA) The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is urging Ottawa to drop its “Strong Borders” legislative package, spotlighting Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, and Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. The renewed push comes as over 300 civil society groups line up against Bill C-2, warning it could fuel mass deportations, curb refugee protections, and widen police and surveillance powers in ways that touch many parts of the immigration system.
The government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, says the measures are needed to keep Canadians safe, curb organized crime, and cut the flow of illegal fentanyl. The clash captures a central question in Canada’s immigration debate: how to balance tougher border tools with protections for people seeking safety. Critics argue the Strong Borders Act could tilt that balance too far. Ministers counter that without fresh laws, traffickers and global crime groups will keep exploiting gaps, while public trust in the immigration system frays.
As of October 11, 2025, Bill C-2 sits in parliamentary review amid wide public criticism. Bill C-12 was introduced on October 8, 2025, and is framed by the government as a way to answer some concerns while still pushing for tighter border and screening powers. The two bills move in tandem: one focused on hardening law enforcement responses, the other on process, information-sharing, and asylum system management.
Policy package and points of tension
Opponents say Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act) would:
- Expand detention and removal powers
- Add new grounds for inadmissibility tied to organized crime
- Fast-track decisions that could sweep up people with thin due process
- Increase information-sharing across agencies and borders, raising privacy concerns
They warn it could enable “power grabs,” expose undocumented workers to exploitation, and discourage people with valid protection claims from coming forward.
The government frames Bill C-2 as a public safety response: a tool to stop transnational crime, disrupt smuggling networks, and cut fentanyl supply chains. Officials argue these outcomes will protect communities while supporting faith in a rules-based immigration system, saying current tools are not enough to handle fast-moving criminal networks.
By contrast, Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act) focuses on process:
- Quicker asylum claim handling
- Clearer roles for agencies
- Stronger information flows across law enforcement and immigration units
Supporters say these steps will help triage cases, reduce delays, and keep genuine protection claims moving while flagging high-risk cases. Critics respond that process changes can still erode rights if they restrict access to counsel, narrow appeals, or broaden data collection without firm safeguards.
The two-bill strategy has split reactions. Community groups view Bill C-12 as a partial attempt to soften Bill C-2’s edges but argue the package overall shifts power toward enforcement at the expense of Charter rights. Business groups following labor supply worry broader removals could hit sectors that depend on migrant and refugee workers, and that uncertainty may deter talent.
Impact on people and the immigration system
For refugee claimants:
– Potential benefits: faster processing, quicker decisions, fewer backlogs.
– Key risks: speed without safeguards may lead to rushed interviews, translation errors, and higher refusal rates.
– Family impacts: faster removal timelines could cause separation before appeals conclude.
Frontline shelters and legal aid clinics warn they may lack capacity to meet tighter deadlines.
For migrant workers:
– Expanded data-sharing between law enforcement and immigration could increase risk.
– Advocates say workers might avoid reporting abuse or wage theft if they fear status checks leading to detention or deportation.
– Employers want clearer rules to avoid sudden disruptions in hiring.
For permanent residents and citizens in affected communities:
– Concerns about profiling, especially where anti-gang or anti-trafficking definitions are broad.
– Community leaders call for safeguards and transparent oversight to prevent misuse of surveillance powers.
The government insists the package targets criminals, not communities, arguing stronger measures will restore faith in border controls and maintain public support for immigration. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests Ottawa’s messaging aims to reassure voters concerned about drug harm and trafficking while signaling that Canada’s doors remain open to genuine refugees and skilled newcomers.
Key stakeholders
- Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA): Pressing for full withdrawal of the Strong Borders package.
- Civil society coalition (300+ groups): Warning of harms to refugee and migrant rights, due process, and privacy.
- Government of Canada: Led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, asserting the package is needed to fight organized crime and protect the immigration system.
Parliamentary committees are expected to probe:
– How Bill C-2 defines “organized crime,” thresholds for detention and removal, and expanded data-sharing.
– For Bill C-12, asylum timelines, access to counsel, and guardrails for information exchanges.
Community testimony will spotlight lived experience: claimants navigating interviews, workers facing coercion, and families caught in removal orders.
How to follow the process
For people seeking to follow the bills, the Canadian Parliament’s bill tracker provides status updates, texts, and committee schedules. Readers can monitor both bills through the official Parliament page: https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo.
Policy watchers also point to civil society briefs and government news releases for evolving positions.
Possible near-term outcomes
If Bill C-2 advances:
– More joint operations with police
– Expanded screening for suspected criminal ties
– Heavier emphasis on removal for refused claimants
If Bill C-12 passes with robust safeguards:
– Asylum claimants could see quicker initial decisions
– Appeals and humanitarian routes would need clear timelines to prevent bottlenecks further into the process
Community advocates are preparing for:
– A surge in legal aid requests
– “Know your rights” sessions
– Support for families facing enforcement
Employers—especially in agriculture, care, and construction—may seek practical guidance on compliance and worker support. Provinces and cities could face added pressure on housing and social services if removals rise or timelines compress.
The broader test, stakeholders say, is whether Canada can keep public safety goals aligned with fair process. Opponents want the government to withdraw Bill C-2 and rewrite any border reforms with tight privacy rules, independent oversight, and clear due process. The government maintains that without tougher laws, organized crime will keep exploiting gaps, with drugs and human trafficking harming communities.
For now, the outcome turns on committee work, amendments, and political calculations as a government makes border policy a top-line pledge. Families with active claims, employers planning hiring rounds, and service providers across the immigration system will be watching what Parliament does next.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Canadian government’s “Strong Borders” legislative package — notably Bill C-2 and Bill C-12 — has sparked wide opposition from over 300 civil society groups and rights organizations. Critics warn Bill C-2 would broaden detention and removal powers, add inadmissibility grounds tied to organized crime, fast-track decisions with limited due process, and expand cross-agency data-sharing, potentially undermining refugee protections and privacy. The government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, argues the measures are necessary to combat organized crime, disrupt fentanyl supply chains, and restore confidence in the immigration system. Bill C-2 is under parliamentary review as of October 11, 2025, while Bill C-12, introduced October 8, 2025, focuses on streamlining asylum processing and clarifying agency roles. Key tensions include balancing public safety with Charter rights, protecting vulnerable migrants and workers, and ensuring oversight over expanded surveillance and information-sharing. Stakeholders — legal clinics, community groups, employers, and provinces — are preparing for increased legal aid demand, “know your rights” outreach, and operational guidance for employers. The bills’ fates hinge on committee scrutiny, proposed amendments, and political calculations, with potential outcomes ranging from expanded enforcement operations to faster case resolution if robust safeguards are enacted.
