A Major Shift in Canada’s Immigration System: Understanding Bill C-12
Canada has officially passed one of the most significant immigration reforms in decades.
On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12 received Royal Assent and became law. While the bill covers border security and related measures, one of the biggest takeaways is this: the federal government now has much broader authority to control parts of Canada’s immigration system when it believes it is in the public interest to do so.
This is not a minor procedural update. It is a major legal shift that could affect how immigration applications are processed, how temporary residents are managed, and how refugee claims are handled going forward.
Broader Government Power Over Immigration Applications
One of the biggest changes under Bill C-12 is that the government can now take much stronger action over immigration applications and immigration documents.
This includes the power to:
• stop accepting certain applications,
• suspend processing,
• terminate processing of existing applications,
• suspend or cancel immigration documents such as work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, and permanent resident visas,
• impose or change conditions on temporary residents.
These powers can be used in situations the government considers to be in the public interest, including concerns related to fraud, public health, public safety, national security, or administrative issues.
In practical terms, this means Canada now has a much stronger legal mechanism to intervene quickly when it believes a certain part of the immigration system is being misused, overloaded, or creating broader concerns.
Major Changes to Canada’s Asylum System
Bill C-12 also introduces major restrictions to refugee and asylum claims.
Two new grounds of ineligibility have now been added:
• asylum claims made more than one year after entering Canada, and
• claims made by individuals who crossed into Canada from the Canada–U.S. border outside an official port of entry.
This is a significant tightening of the system. Previously, some people who entered Canada irregularly from the U.S. could still make a refugee claim if certain conditions were met. That is now much more restricted. Another important point is that these changes are being applied retroactively. In other words, they do not only affect future claimants. They can also affect certain claims made after June 3, 2025.
For many people, that will be one of the most controversial aspects of the new law.
Ineligible Claimants May Still Have Limited Options
If a refugee claim becomes ineligible under these new rules, it cannot proceed to the Immigration and Refugee Board in the normal way. That said, some individuals may still be able to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). That is still a form of protection review, but it is not the same as having a full refugee hearing. As a result, the path forward becomes much narrower for affected claimants.
Refugee Claims Can Also Be Treated as Abandoned More Easily
The new law also changes what happens after a refugee claim has already been made.
If a claimant voluntarily returns to the country they are claiming protection from, the claim can now be treated as abandoned. The law also prevents the Immigration and Refugee Board from continuing with a refugee claim if the claimant is no longer physically present in Canada. These changes make Canada’s asylum system much stricter and place greater emphasis on maintaining a continuous and credible claim for protection.
Expanded Information Sharing Powers
Another major part of Bill C-12 is its expanded authority around personal information sharing.
Under the new law, the immigration department can now share personal information with other government bodies, including government-owned corporations. In some situations, that information may also be shared onward with foreign entities if authorized. The information that may be shared can include identity details, immigration status, and information connected to immigration documents. This part of the bill has raised concern for many because of how broad the language is and how much discretion it gives the government.
