(TORONTO) Protesters filled downtown streets in November 2025 as hundreds rallied against Bill C-12, a proposed Liberal immigration law that critics say could harm Canada’s global reputation and make it harder for newcomers to settle in the country. The march, held in central Toronto, brought together migrant workers, students, families, and long‑time residents worried that the bill signals a tougher era for immigration policy.
Who organized the protest and why
The demonstration was organized by the Migrant Rights Network, a national coalition of community groups that campaigns for permanent status and better protections for non‑citizens. Organizers said they chose Toronto because the city has become a flashpoint for immigration debates throughout 2025, with several earlier protests already drawing heavy police presence and counter‑demonstrations.
For many at the rally, Bill C-12 has become a symbol of the perceived gap between Canada’s welcoming image and the reality on the ground for migrants and racialized communities.
What is known (and not known) about Bill C-12
Very few official details about Bill C-12 have been released publicly. Advocacy groups and former officials warn the legislation could:
- Restrict immigration
- Weaken legal pathways to stay in Canada
- Increase the risk of deportation for some groups
Critics argue that even the suggestion of tighter rules risks damaging Canada’s brand as an open, multicultural country that depends on newcomers to support its labour market and aging population. Some observers point to recent delays, backlogs, and sudden policy shifts as early signs that the system is already strained.
The Liberal government, which has not yet published the full text of Bill C-12, frames recent immigration moves as part of an effort to “recalibrate” intake levels and respond to pressures on housing, healthcare, and public services. Yet Ottawa has also been criticized for failing to meet promised lower immigration targets after months of debate over sustainable intake levels.
“The tension between economic needs and public concern has left both migrants and employers uncertain about future rules.” — analysis by VisaVerge.com
Rally details and messages
Those uncertainties were on display at the Toronto rally. Marchers carried signs warning that Bill C-12 “could harm Canada’s global reputation and restrict immigration,” echoing language used by policy experts and advocacy groups.
Speakers at the event accused the federal government of quietly shifting toward a more restrictive approach while continuing to promote Canada as a destination that needs immigrant workers and international students.
Organizers repeatedly urged participants to stay calm and avoid engaging with hostile bystanders. The march remained largely peaceful, though police maintained a visible presence along the route. Many families attended with children, and several faith leaders joined the front of the march — reflecting how deeply immigration debates now touch everyday community life in Toronto.
Key demands from the Migrant Rights Network
The Migrant Rights Network said any law like Bill C-12 should first guarantee permanent resident pathways for all migrants, including:
- Undocumented workers
- Caregivers
- Farm labourers
- International students stuck in temporary status
Community organizers emphasized that many people most affected by immigration changes cannot vote and often feel they have little say in decisions shaping their futures. They warned that if the bill tightens eligibility or increases deportation risk, thousands could be pushed further into precarious work and unsafe housing.
Broader context: street tensions and regional differences
This protest follows a year of mounting tensions in Toronto over immigration. Earlier in 2025, the city saw confrontations between anti‑immigration groups (including a “Canada First” rally) and pro‑immigration counter‑protesters. Those events sometimes ended in arrests and police intervention, with officers forming lines and using barriers to separate crowds.
Local officials now face pressure to both protect free expression and ensure that racialized and migrant communities feel safe in public spaces.
There are also growing concerns about regional disparities:
- Quebec: has pushed for more control over intake and settlement.
- Ontario (and cities like Toronto): carry much of the pressure on housing and local services.
Community groups fear Bill C-12 could deepen these divides and leave some provinces with higher numbers of vulnerable migrants and insufficient supports.
Views from policy veterans
Former federal immigration minister Lloyd Axworthy warned the proposed legislation may weaken Canada’s international standing if it is seen as closing doors to newcomers. Axworthy and other policy experts say Canada’s reputation as a stable, rules‑based country has helped attract skilled workers, refugees, and students.
They caution: if Bill C-12 reduces access or sends a signal that migrants are less welcome, other destination countries could gain an edge in the global competition for talent.
Practical concerns for affected groups
Many marchers said the issue is less about one bill number and more about the overall direction of federal policy. Specific concerns included:
- Temporary permits that tie migrant workers to single employers, limiting the ability to report unpaid wages or unsafe conditions
- Sudden rule changes that could affect international students’ chances of obtaining permanent residence after graduation
- Additional uncertainty for refugee claimants, who already face stressful hearings and long waits
A simple table of stakeholders and concerns
| Stakeholder | Main concerns |
|---|---|
| Migrant workers | Employer-tied permits, precarious work, deportation risk |
| International students | Rule changes affecting pathways to permanent residence |
| Refugee claimants | Longer waits, added uncertainty in hearings |
| Employers | Uncertainty about labour supply and future rules |
| Provinces | Uneven impacts on housing and services (Quebec vs Ontario) |
Government response and information sources
While the federal government has not issued a detailed public response to the Toronto protest, officials point to Canada’s long‑term immigration plans and ongoing consultations.
Basic information about current programs, applications, and targets remains available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on the official government website at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html. However, that guidance does not yet answer the specific questions raised about Bill C-12, leaving advocates, lawyers, and migrants to work with partial information and media reports.
Next steps from organizers
As winter approaches, the Migrant Rights Network and allied groups plan to keep organizing in Toronto and other Canadian cities. Their stated priorities are:
- Push Members of Parliament to oppose any parts of Bill C-12 that would restrict immigration or weaken status for people already in the country
- Call for public hearings
- Demand full disclosure of the bill’s text
- Seek clear guarantees that families will not be split apart by new rules
Until those demands are met, Toronto’s streets are likely to remain a stage for a national debate over what kind of country Canada wants to be in the years ahead.
In November 2025, hundreds protested Bill C-12 in downtown Toronto, organized by the Migrant Rights Network. Critics say the still-unreleased bill could restrict immigration, weaken legal pathways to stay, and raise deportation risks. Speakers emphasized threats to workers, students and refugees while urging full disclosure, public hearings and protections for permanent residency pathways. The government cites pressures on housing and services; organizers plan continued mobilization to influence Parliament and demand transparency.
