Bill C-12 receives Royal Assent, ushering in Canada’s most sweeping immigration compliance overhaul in a decade
IRCC confirms permanent-resident application fees will jump 12 % on April 30
Nova Scotians flood archives after Ottawa scraps first-generation limit on citizenship by descent
Latest News
Retroactive clause in new law set to invalidate thousands of long-pending refugee claims
Social-media discussion has exposed a retroactive clause in Bill C-12 that will automatically refuse asylum claims filed more than one year after initial entry—effective back to June 2020. Refugee advocates say thousands of pending cases could be struck, while employers may face status issues for staff whose claims are invalidated.
Bill C-12 Receives Royal Assent, Setting One-Year Deadline on New and Pending Refugee Claims
Canada’s new Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) became law on 28 March 2026, barring refugee claims filed more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada and applying the rule retroactively to June 2020. IRCC says the change will ease IRB backlogs, while advocacy groups warn it breaches international refugee standards and could leave thousands without status or work authorization. Employers are advised to audit workforces for affected open-permit holders.
IRCC Portal Outage Prompts 48-Hour Extension for Time-Sensitive Immigration Filings
A nine-hour technical outage knocked IRCC’s secure portals offline overnight on 27–28 March 2026. IRCC has granted a 48-hour blanket extension for any application or document deadline affected by the downtime. Employers and travellers should expect minor inspection delays and rescheduled virtual appointments as the department clears the submission backlog.
Ice Storm Grounds Dozens of Flights in Atlantic Canada, Carriers Issue Flexible Rebooking Policies
Freezing rain across Atlantic Canada shut down Halifax airport for several hours on 28 March 2026, leading to more than 60 flight cancellations and widespread delays. Major airlines have issued flexible rebooking waivers through 31 March. Businesses should expect itinerary disruptions for regional commuters and U.S.-bound travellers and adjust mobility timelines accordingly.