Canada may soon introduce a new Bill that will empower the government to unilaterally halt the acceptance of new visa applications or even terminate those already in the queue.
It will give the government unprecedented discretionary control over the processing of visas and the status of temporary residents.
The Bill C-12, formally known as Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, is nearly the final stages of the parliamentary process and could fundamentally alter the landscape for hundreds of thousands of prospective newcomers.
The scope of the legislation is vast, covering permanent resident visas, work and study permits, and electronic travel authorisations (eTAs).
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Broad discretionary authority
Beyond simply pausing applications, the bill allows the government to “amend and vary” conditions imposed on temporary residents, including students and workers.
These changes could be used to enforce compliance with regulations that sit outside the traditional Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Critics have raised concerns regarding the breadth of these powers. However, proponents argue that the bill includes necessary control to prevent executive overreach.
Addressing the House during the bill’s third reading, a government official noted the necessity of the measures:
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“This legislation is about agility. To maintain a system that works for Canadians and newcomers alike, the government requires the tools to respond swiftly to emerging challenges while ensuring that the integrity of our borders remains uncompromised.”
To mitigate fears of arbitrary decision-making, the bill specifies that these powers may only be invoked when it is deemed in the “public interest.”.
Following a series of amendments, the legislation now defines this interest as situations involving administrative errors or widespread fraud, public health crises and threats to public safety or national security.
If the Immigration minister exercises these powers, they will be legally required to table a report in Parliament detailing the rationale behind the order and the specific number of individuals affected.
Impact on newcomers and refugees
For those already in the system, it has been met with mixed reactions.
While the government cannot use these powers to grant permanent residency or extend existing permits, the crackdown on fraud is seen as a positive for legitimate applicants.
The bill also signals a toughening stance on the asylum system, granting officials the authority to declare refugee claims abandoned or withdrawn under specific conditions.
Bill C-12 has successfully cleared the House of Commons and passed its first reading in the Senate. As the Canadian Parliament prepares to reconvene in February 2026, all eyes will be on the Upper House.
