Bill C-12 enhances Canada's immigration and border security frameworks by implementing new asylum claim ineligibility rules, expanding authorities for border security agencies, and strengthening efforts against organized crime and illicit drug trafficking. The Act provides IRCC with improved tools for managing immigration documents and facilitates better information sharing among federal agencies to protect public safety and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

• Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, marking a major step in enhancing Canada’s immigration and border security frameworks.
• This legislation introduces several key measures to improve asylum claim processing, strengthen border enforcement, and bolster efforts against organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.
• The Act implements new ineligibility rules for asylum claims to better manage sudden surges in applications and protect the integrity of the refugee protection system.
• It also provides Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with enhanced tools for managing immigration documents and related applications, alongside improved domestic information sharing capabilities to facilitate coordinated responses.
• Border security agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Coast Guard, receive expanded authorities.
• CBSA can now examine goods destined for export, aligning with its import inspection powers, while the Coast Guard is empowered to conduct security patrols and intelligence activities.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also gains enhanced capabilities to share information on registered sex offenders.
• Furthermore, Bill C-12 amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to accelerate scheduling of precursor chemicals used in illegal drug production, addressing the fentanyl crisis.
• It also strengthens Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime with tougher penalties and improved federal agency collaboration.
• These comprehensive measures collectively aim to secure Canada’s borders, protect public safety, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

• New ineligibility rules for asylum claims to manage application surges and protect refugee system integrity
• Expanded authorities for CBSA to inspect export goods and for the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and intelligence activities
• Enhanced information sharing capabilities among IRCC, CBSA, RCMP, and other federal agencies
• Amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to accelerate scheduling of precursor chemicals
• Strengthened anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime with tougher penalties

• Asylum seekers subject to new processing rules
• Immigration and border officers implementing the changes
• Law enforcement agencies combating organized crime

• Bill C-12 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026

• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2026/03/legislation-that-strengthens-the-immigration-system-and-border-security-receives-royal-assent.html

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