The Potential Effects of Bill C-12 on Immigration Applications

A new federal proposal, Bill C-12, is currently under review in Canada. This bill has the potential to grant the Government of Canada the authority to suspend or cancel immigration applications and documents under specific circumstances.

If approved, Bill C-12 would enhance the Governor in Council’s abilities to manage application intake and processing. This would allow for temporary halts or cancellations of programs that are deemed necessary for various reasons.

Historical examples from 2012 and 2014 demonstrate the utilization of similar measures by the government. During these instances, Ottawa successfully cleared significant backlogs in programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Investor and Entrepreneur programs. This affected a substantial number of applicants, many of whom received refunds for their application fees.

Despite some exaggerated discussions online regarding potential delays, current data from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicate a noticeable increase in backlogs across different streams, including the Start-Up Visa and Humanitarian and Compassionate categories.

More clarity on the implications of Bill C-12 and the future immigration targets is expected to be provided following the November 4 federal budget announcement. This will coincide with the unveiling of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.