The Senate approves a major immigration reform bill in Canada, i.e., the Senate has approved a bill that introduces some of the most significant reforms to Canada’s immigration system in decades. The proposed law would allow the government to cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents such as work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and permanent resident visas.
Bill C-12, officially titled “An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures,” passed its third reading in the Senate with amendments on the evening of March 12, 2026.
The legislation includes three main changes to Canada’s immigration system:
- Executive powers over immigration applications and documents
- A reform of Canada’s asylum system
- Provisions for increased sharing of personal information on the part of the immigration department
Expanded Government Authority Over Immigration Decisions
If the bill becomes law, it will give the Governor in Council broader powers related to immigration decisions and documents.
Executive Powers
Should the bill become law, it would provide the Governor in Council the ability to issues orders to
- Cease accepting for processing, pause the processing of, or terminate the processing of immigration applications
- Cancel, suspend, or vary immigration documents, such as work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and permanent resident visas
- Impose or vary conditions on temporary residents
These powers could be used when the government believes it is necessary for the public interest. The bill explains that public interest situations may involve administrative errors, fraud, public health concerns, public safety issues, or national security risks.
After such powers are used, the immigration minister would be required to explain the reasons to Parliament. The minister would also need to provide information about the individuals who were affected by these decisions.
This requirement is intended to ensure transparency and accountability when these powers are used.
Changes Proposed For Canada’s Asylum System
The bill also introduces several changes to Canada’s asylum process. These changes mainly affect when asylum claims can be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Asylum Reform
The bill introduces two new grounds for ineligibility for asylum claims to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB):
- Claimants who first entered Canada after June 24, 2020, and made their claim more than a year after their first date of entry (post-one-year claimants)
- Claimants who entered Canada from the Canada-US land border, outside a port of entry
At present, Canada’s immigration regulations allow people who cross the Canada–US land border outside a port of entry to make an asylum claim if the claim is submitted at least 14 days after entry into Canada.
The proposed law would change this rule by making such claims ineligible for referral to the IRB.
The new ineligibility rules would apply retroactively to June 3, 2025. This date corresponds to when a previous version of the bill, known as Bill C-2, was first introduced.
Even if a claim cannot be referred to the IRB, the person may still request a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). This process allows authorities to determine whether the individual would face danger if removed from Canada.
Additional oversight was included through an amendment introduced by Senator Tony Dean. Under this change, the immigration department would be required to provide annual reports to Parliament beginning five years after the law takes effect.
These reports would include information about the number of ineligible claims made by post-one-year claimants, along with the outcomes of related PRRA applications.
Other proposed changes to the asylum system include a rule that would consider claims abandoned if the claimant voluntarily returns to the country from which protection was requested. The bill also states that asylum claims from individuals outside Canada would not be considered.
New Rules For Sharing Personal Information
Another major part of the bill relates to how immigration authorities can share personal information.
Information Sharing
The legislation would allow the immigration department to share certain personal information with other government agencies and government-controlled corporations.
With approval from the immigration minister, these organizations could also share the information with foreign entities.
The personal information that could be shared includes a person’s identity, immigration status in Canada, and documents issued under the authority of the immigration minister.
However, an amendment introduced by Senator Paulette Senior added an important limitation. Under this change, these information-sharing provisions would not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The Senate adopted this amendment on March 10.
Comprehensive Review
An amendment introduced by Senator Tony Dean requires that a Parliamentary committee review the law five years after it comes into force.
The committee would examine how the changes have worked and assess their effects on Canada’s immigration system. After the review, the committee would present a report to Parliament that includes its findings and any suggested changes.
Next Steps Before The Bill Becomes Law
Although the Senate has passed the bill, it has not yet become law.
Because the Senate approved amendments before passing the bill, the legislation must now return to the House of Commons. Members of Parliament must review the updated version and pass it again in a third reading.
For the bill to officially become law, both the Senate and the House of Commons must approve the same final version of the legislation.
After that step, the bill must receive royal assent before it can take effect.
If these steps are completed, Bill C-12 could introduce major changes to Canada’s immigration system in the coming years.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
