Canadian Bar Association Proposes 100 Reforms to Immigration Laws

Key Takeaways

• CBA delivered 100 recommendations to reform Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act by June 2025.
• 2025-2027 plan sets 395,000 permanent residents target, 105,000 fewer than before; caps temporary residents at 5%.
• Recommendations focus on transparency, updating laws, technology use, accountability, fairness, and improved user experience.

On May 26, 2025, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Immigration Law Section delivered a sweeping set of 100 recommendations to the Canadian government, calling for a major update to the country’s immigration laws. This move marks the most ambitious proposal to modernize the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) since it first became law in 2001. The recommendations, titled “Law, Technology, and Accountability: Reimagining Canadian Immigration for the 21st Century,” were sent to key government leaders, including Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship; Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety; and Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement.

This push for reform comes at a time when Canada 🇨🇦 is making big changes to its immigration system, including lowering permanent resident targets and introducing new limits on temporary residents. The CBA’s recommendations aim to make the system more transparent, fair, and responsive to the needs of both newcomers and Canadian society.

Why Is the CBA Pushing for Change Now?

The Canadian Bar Association, representing thousands of legal professionals across Canada 🇨🇦, has long played a key role in shaping immigration policy. According to Kamaljit Kaur Lehal, chair of the CBA Immigration Law Section, the current system has become “increasingly opaque, unpredictable, and risk-averse.” She points out that the government now relies too much on Ministerial Instructions—special orders from the immigration minister—and internal policies, rather than clear, public laws.

This lack of transparency makes it hard for immigrants, lawyers, and even government officials to understand how decisions are made. The CBA believes that updating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is the only way to restore trust and make the system work better for everyone.

What Are the Main Problems with the Current System?

The CBA’s recommendations focus on four main problems:

• Lack of Transparency: Many decisions are made behind closed doors, with little explanation or public input.
• Outdated Laws: The IRPA was written in 2001 and hasn’t kept up with changes in technology, society, or the global movement of people.
• Technology Gaps: The system hasn’t fully adapted to new digital tools, which could make processing faster and more accurate.
• Accountability Issues: There’s not enough oversight or democratic input into how immigration policies are set and enforced.

These problems have real effects on people’s lives. For example, unclear rules can lead to mistakes, delays, or unfair refusals. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the number of court cases challenging immigration decisions has risen sharply, with over 24,000 immigration matters filed in Federal Court last year.

The Six Principles Guiding Reform

The CBA’s 100 recommendations are built on six key principles:

1. Human Rights: Protecting the basic rights of everyone in the immigration system.
2. Innovation: Using new ideas and technology to solve today’s challenges.
3. Transparency: Making sure rules and decisions are clear and easy to understand.
4. Natural Justice: Ensuring fair procedures and the right to be heard.
5. Collaboration: Working together with all groups involved in immigration.
6. User Experience: Designing systems that are simple and accessible for everyone.

These principles are meant to guide the government in creating a system that is both fair and efficient.

What’s Changing in Canadian Immigration Policy?

The CBA’s recommendations come at a time of major change in Canadian immigration. Here are some of the most important developments in 2025:

• Lower Permanent Resident Targets: The government’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 395,000 new permanent residents for 2025. This is 105,000 fewer than earlier plans.
• Focus on In-Canada Applicants: More than 40% of new permanent residents in 2025 are expected to be people already living in Canada 🇨🇦 as students or workers.
• Temporary Resident Caps: For the first time, the government is setting limits on the number of temporary residents, aiming to keep them at or below 5% of the total population over the next three years.
• Stricter Work Permit Rules: Since January 21, 2025, only spouses of students in certain programs or workers in high-demand jobs can get open work permits.
• New Pilot Programs: The government is testing new ways to bring in immigrants, including the Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Program, Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program, and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Program.

These changes reflect the government’s effort to balance economic needs, population growth, and public opinion.

How Do the CBA’s Recommendations Address These Issues?

The Canadian Bar Association’s proposals are wide-ranging and touch on nearly every part of the immigration system. Some of the most important recommendations include:

1. Making the System More Transparent

The CBA wants the government to explain how decisions are made and to publish clear rules. This would help applicants understand what is expected and reduce confusion.

2. Updating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

The CBA says the IRPA needs a full review to reflect today’s realities. This includes:

• Recognizing new types of families and relationships
• Addressing the needs of refugees and vulnerable groups
• Making sure the law keeps up with changes in the job market and technology

3. Using Technology Responsibly

While technology can speed up processing, the CBA warns against relying too much on automated systems. They recommend:

• Regular reviews of automated decision tools
• Clear rules about when and how technology is used
• Safeguards to protect against errors or bias

4. Improving Accountability

The CBA calls for more oversight of immigration decisions, including:

• Stronger roles for Parliament and the courts
• Regular public reporting on how the system is working
• Opportunities for public input on major policy changes

5. Supporting Fairness and Human Rights

The recommendations stress the need to protect the rights of all immigrants, including:

• The right to a fair hearing
• Access to legal help
• Protection from discrimination

6. Making the System Easier to Use

The CBA wants to simplify forms and procedures, making them easier for everyone to understand. They also suggest more support for people who don’t speak English or French.

What Do Immigration Lawyers and Stakeholders Think?

Immigration lawyers across Canada 🇨🇦 have welcomed the CBA’s recommendations. Many have seen firsthand the problems caused by unclear rules and sudden policy changes. For example, in 2024, there was a sharp increase in people found inadmissible for misrepresentation—meaning they were accused of giving false information, sometimes by mistake.

Lawyers are also concerned about:

• The growing use of technology and automation, which can lead to mistakes if not carefully managed
• Tougher rules at the border, making it harder for people to enter or stay in Canada 🇨🇦
• The end of “flagpoling,” a process where people could quickly renew work or study permits by briefly leaving and re-entering the country
• The rising number of court cases challenging immigration decisions

The CBA’s recommendations aim to address these concerns by making the system clearer, fairer, and more predictable.

Historical Background: The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) became law in 2001. Its main goals were to:

• Bring social, cultural, and economic benefits to Canada 🇨🇦
• Support the country’s diverse communities, including those who speak minority languages
• Help new immigrants settle and become part of Canadian society
• Reunite families
• Ensure fair and efficient procedures

The IRPA also set up a process for the federal government to work with provinces on immigration policies and targets. However, after more than 20 years, many experts—including the Canadian Bar Association—say the law is out of date and needs a full review.

For readers interested in the full text of the IRPA, the official government page provides the complete Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

What Happens Next?

The Canadian Bar Association has said it is ready to work with the government to create a fair, forward-looking immigration system. If the government adopts the CBA’s recommendations, it would mean the biggest changes to Canadian immigration law in a generation.

The next big event for immigration professionals will be the CBA Immigration Law Conference, set for June 5-7, 2025, in Victoria, British Columbia. The conference will cover topics such as:

• Canada’s new border rules
• How to challenge immigration decisions in court
• New immigration options for entrepreneurs
• How to respond to accusations of misrepresentation

This conference will give lawyers, policymakers, and other stakeholders a chance to discuss the CBA’s recommendations and the future of Canadian immigration.

What Does This Mean for Immigrants, Employers, and Families?

The CBA’s push for reform could have big effects on many groups:

For Immigrants

• Clearer Rules: Easier to understand what is needed to apply and what to expect.
• Fairer Decisions: More chances to have mistakes corrected and to get help if needed.
• Better Use of Technology: Faster processing, but with safeguards to prevent errors.

For Employers

• More Predictable System: Easier to plan for hiring foreign workers.
• Clearer Pathways: Better information about which jobs are in demand and how to sponsor workers.

For Families

• Stronger Family Reunification: More support for bringing families together.
• Simpler Procedures: Easier forms and clearer instructions.

For the Legal Community

• More Accountability: Greater oversight of government decisions.
• Opportunities for Input: Lawyers and advocates can help shape new policies.

Practical Guidance for Readers

If you are thinking about immigrating to Canada 🇨🇦, sponsoring a family member, or hiring a foreign worker, it’s important to stay informed about these changes. Here are some steps you can take:

• Check Official Sources: Always use the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for the latest information and forms.
• Consult a Lawyer: If you have questions or face problems, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer. The Canadian Bar Association can help you find qualified professionals.
• Stay Updated: Watch for news about changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other policies.
• Attend Events: If you work in immigration or are interested in policy, events like the CBA Immigration Law Conference offer valuable information and networking opportunities.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Canadian Immigration

The Canadian Bar Association’s 100 recommendations could reshape how Canada 🇨🇦 welcomes newcomers, supports families, and meets its economic needs. By focusing on transparency, fairness, and innovation, the CBA hopes to create a system that works for everyone—immigrants, employers, families, and Canadian society as a whole.

As analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests, these proposed changes come at a critical time, with Canada 🇨🇦 facing new challenges and opportunities in global migration. Whether the government adopts all or some of the recommendations, the debate over how best to update the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act will shape the country’s future for years to come.

For those affected by these changes, staying informed and seeking professional advice are the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead. The Canadian Bar Association’s leadership in this area shows the important role that legal professionals play in building a fair and welcoming Canada 🇨🇦 for all.

Learn Today

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) → Canada’s main immigration law enacted in 2001, governing immigration and refugee protection policies.
Ministerial Instructions → Special orders issued by the immigration minister guiding immigration decisions without public legislation.
Open Work Permit → A work permit allowing foreign spouses or certain workers to work in Canada without job-specific employer restrictions.
Temporary Residents → Individuals in Canada temporarily for work, study, or visit, not holding permanent resident status.
Automated Decision Tools → Digital systems used to process immigration applications automatically, needing oversight to prevent errors and bias.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Canadian Bar Association proposed 100 reforms to modernize Canadian immigration law, aiming for fairness, transparency, and technology adaptation amid 2025 policy shifts. Their recommendations tackle outdated laws and call for accessible, accountable processes to better serve immigrants, employers, and families, shaping a future-focused, equitable immigration system.
— By VisaVerge.com