Canada’s Proposed Immigration Law Changes

Canada is on the verge of passing Bill C-12, a proposed legislation that aims to grant the federal government more flexibility in managing immigration matters and temporary residents during extraordinary circumstances.

If ratified, the government would have the authority to temporarily halt the acceptance of new immigration applications or pause the processing of ongoing applications. This could impact various types of applications, including permanent residence files, work permits, study permits, visitor visas, eTAs, and permanent resident cards.

The bill would also empower the government to modify or impose additional conditions on temporary residents, such as international students, foreign workers, and visitors. However, it does not grant the government the ability to grant permanent residence or extend permits using these new powers.

Amendments have been made to restrict the circumstances under which these powers can be exercised. The bill stipulates that they should only be utilized in cases of clear public interest, such as rectifying significant system errors, combating fraud, or addressing public health, safety, or security concerns.

Under the proposed legislation, the immigration minister would be required to justify the decisions to Parliament and provide a report on the number of individuals impacted by the measures.

In certain scenarios, these measures could expedite the resolution of systemic issues, potentially benefiting applicants with valid applications. Additionally, the bill includes enhancements to Canada’s refugee system, including clearer guidelines on when claims may be deemed abandoned.

Bill C-12 has successfully passed the House of Commons and is currently under review by the Senate. The Senate is slated to continue its assessment in February 2026, with widespread anticipation that the bill will be enacted into law.