Internal documents obtained by CBC News and reported on Nov 4 suggest Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency are lobbying for legislation that would let the minister cancel groups of Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) in one stroke when systemic fraud or security risks emerge. India and Bangladesh are cited as “country-specific challenges” in the presentation, although no nation is singled out in draft legal language.
Officials argue that current case-by-case cancellation authority is too slow to respond to large-scale document fraud or sudden geopolitical events. Civil-liberties groups, however, say bulk cancellations risk creating a “mass-deportation machine” devoid of due process and could disproportionately hit legitimate students and visitors.
![Ottawa Mulls Mass-Cancellation Powers for Temporary Resident Visas Amid Fraud Concerns]()
For corporates, the proposal raises red flags about travel certainty and reputational issues, particularly for companies that recruit heavily from South Asia. Mobility managers should map visa-holder populations and build contingency plans—including alternative work-permit categories or remote-work options—should mass revocations occur.
The measure is still at the consultation stage, but observers note it dovetails with Budget 2025’s tougher stance on temporary migration. Stakeholders have until early 2026 to submit briefs before the bill is introduced.
Officials argue that current case-by-case cancellation authority is too slow to respond to large-scale document fraud or sudden geopolitical events. Civil-liberties groups, however, say bulk cancellations risk creating a “mass-deportation machine” devoid of due process and could disproportionately hit legitimate students and visitors.
For corporates, the proposal raises red flags about travel certainty and reputational issues, particularly for companies that recruit heavily from South Asia. Mobility managers should map visa-holder populations and build contingency plans—including alternative work-permit categories or remote-work options—should mass revocations occur.
The measure is still at the consultation stage, but observers note it dovetails with Budget 2025’s tougher stance on temporary migration. Stakeholders have until early 2026 to submit briefs before the bill is introduced.
