Canada’s controversial Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) advanced on Parliament’s Order Paper on 9 December 2025, after the Standing Committee on Public Safety completed clause-by-clause review. The bill now awaits report-stage debate, the penultimate step before third reading in the House of Commons.
Originally tabled in October, the legislation expands the Canada Border Services Agency’s powers to search outbound goods, revokes the right to a hearing for certain late asylum claims, and streamlines information-sharing on foreign nationals with law-enforcement partners. It also codifies tougher penalties for employers who facilitate human trafficking or organise fraudulent immigration schemes.
Proponents—including Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree—argue the bill modernises an over-stretched system and aligns with U.S. border security efforts.
![‘Strong Borders Act’ edges closer to law as House moves Bill C-12 to report stage]()
Critics warn that fast-tracked deportations could violate due-process rights and disproportionately impact vulnerable migrants. Business lobbies have sought clarifications on how the new enforcement powers might affect trusted-traveller and pre-clearance programmes crucial to cross-border supply chains.
Amid this uncertainty, VisaHQ can serve as a practical ally for employers and travellers. Through its Canada-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), the company offers real-time guidance on visa categories, document checklists and application processing, enabling stakeholders to stay compliant and adapt swiftly to regulatory changes like those proposed in Bill C-12.
Key amendments adopted by the committee place a one-year sunset clause on the most sweeping ministerial powers and require annual parliamentary reports on asylum-claim processing times. Nevertheless, immigration lawyers expect a spike in admissibility reviews and secondary inspections once regulations are in force.
Global-mobility practitioners should monitor the bill’s progress; if enacted in early 2026, companies employing foreign talent may face stricter document-verification audits and should reinforce compliance protocols now to avoid penalties that can reach $1 million per incident.
Originally tabled in October, the legislation expands the Canada Border Services Agency’s powers to search outbound goods, revokes the right to a hearing for certain late asylum claims, and streamlines information-sharing on foreign nationals with law-enforcement partners. It also codifies tougher penalties for employers who facilitate human trafficking or organise fraudulent immigration schemes.
Proponents—including Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree—argue the bill modernises an over-stretched system and aligns with U.S. border security efforts.
Critics warn that fast-tracked deportations could violate due-process rights and disproportionately impact vulnerable migrants. Business lobbies have sought clarifications on how the new enforcement powers might affect trusted-traveller and pre-clearance programmes crucial to cross-border supply chains.
Amid this uncertainty, VisaHQ can serve as a practical ally for employers and travellers. Through its Canada-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), the company offers real-time guidance on visa categories, document checklists and application processing, enabling stakeholders to stay compliant and adapt swiftly to regulatory changes like those proposed in Bill C-12.
Key amendments adopted by the committee place a one-year sunset clause on the most sweeping ministerial powers and require annual parliamentary reports on asylum-claim processing times. Nevertheless, immigration lawyers expect a spike in admissibility reviews and secondary inspections once regulations are in force.
Global-mobility practitioners should monitor the bill’s progress; if enacted in early 2026, companies employing foreign talent may face stricter document-verification audits and should reinforce compliance protocols now to avoid penalties that can reach $1 million per incident.
