Canada’s most sweeping immigration reform in a generation inched closer to becoming law on February 25 when the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs reported Bill C-12 back to the upper chamber with no amendments. The bill—officially titled “An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system”—would give the Governor-in-Council broad authority to vary, suspend or cancel work permits, study permits and even permanent-resident visas whenever the government deems it to be “in the public interest.” (cicnews.com)
Among the most controversial provisions are powers to pause the acceptance or processing of entire categories of applications, require carriers to collect additional passenger data, and share that data across federal departments. Refugee policy would also shift dramatically: claimants who filed more than a year after entering Canada, or who originally crossed the U.S./Canada land border irregularly, could see their cases summarily suspended.
Supporters inside government argue the extraordinary powers are needed to respond quickly to fraud, public-health emergencies, or security threats. Critics—from immigration lawyers to refugee advocates—counter that the bill concentrates too much discretion in Cabinet and risks leaving genuine applicants in limbo. A secondary Senate committee recommended gutting most of the new powers, but those suggestions were not adopted.
![Senate committee clears Bill C-12 without changes, setting stage for major immigration overhaul]()
In this fluid policy landscape, VisaHQ can be a valuable ally. The company’s online platform tracks regulatory changes in real time and assists individuals and employers with preparing compliant Canadian visa applications—from work and study permits to visitor visas—helping to mitigate the uncertainty that measures like Bill C-12 can create. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The Senate is scheduled to hold third reading on February 26. If the bill passes unamended it will go directly to royal assent, allowing the reforms to take effect before the summer recess. Businesses that rely on foreign talent, post-secondary institutions and non-profits that assist refugees are already mapping out contingency plans should the bill pass.
Practically, employers may need to build additional lead-time into global mobility strategies: orders-in-council could freeze specific work-permit streams with little notice. Immigration counsel recommend reviewing talent pipelines and ensuring alternative pathways—such as intra-company transfers or reciprocal-employment permits—are ready should primary routes be suspended.
Among the most controversial provisions are powers to pause the acceptance or processing of entire categories of applications, require carriers to collect additional passenger data, and share that data across federal departments. Refugee policy would also shift dramatically: claimants who filed more than a year after entering Canada, or who originally crossed the U.S./Canada land border irregularly, could see their cases summarily suspended.
Supporters inside government argue the extraordinary powers are needed to respond quickly to fraud, public-health emergencies, or security threats. Critics—from immigration lawyers to refugee advocates—counter that the bill concentrates too much discretion in Cabinet and risks leaving genuine applicants in limbo. A secondary Senate committee recommended gutting most of the new powers, but those suggestions were not adopted.
In this fluid policy landscape, VisaHQ can be a valuable ally. The company’s online platform tracks regulatory changes in real time and assists individuals and employers with preparing compliant Canadian visa applications—from work and study permits to visitor visas—helping to mitigate the uncertainty that measures like Bill C-12 can create. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The Senate is scheduled to hold third reading on February 26. If the bill passes unamended it will go directly to royal assent, allowing the reforms to take effect before the summer recess. Businesses that rely on foreign talent, post-secondary institutions and non-profits that assist refugees are already mapping out contingency plans should the bill pass.
Practically, employers may need to build additional lead-time into global mobility strategies: orders-in-council could freeze specific work-permit streams with little notice. Immigration counsel recommend reviewing talent pipelines and ensuring alternative pathways—such as intra-company transfers or reciprocal-employment permits—are ready should primary routes be suspended.
