Keith Mack
Canada's immigration laws have evolved over the years, reflecting changes in societal attitudes, economic needs, and global events. The country's immigration system is known for its openness and robust regulatory framework, making it a popular destination for immigrants and refugees worldwide. The latest changes to Canada's immigration policy are outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which includes details on permanent resident admissions and, for the first time, temporary resident volume data. This plan calls for a significant reduction in immigration, with a decrease of 105,000 permanent resident admissions compared to projected numbers for 2025. The government has also proposed new bills, such as the Strong Borders Act, to enhance border security and tackle transnational organised crime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the new immigration law in Canada | The Strong Borders Act |
| Date of announcement | 3 June 2025 |
| Purpose | To enhance border security, tackle transnational organised crime, and ensure the flow of illegal weapons, cash, and fentanyl across the US-Canada border |
| Changes proposed | Expansion of the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restrictions on asylum access, and restrictions on cash transactions above C$10,000 |
| Implementation | Expansion of the government's power to open mail to advance a criminal investigation, suspension of processing new applications for public health and national security reasons, and introduction of a one-year deadline for asylum claims |
| Target number of immigrants | 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027 |
| Total number of new permanent residents | 1.14 million |
| Percentage of temporary residents in Canada by the end of 2026 | 5% |
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What You'll Learn
The Strong Borders Act
One of the key provisions of the Act is the expansion of the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, reflecting a change in how the Canadian government interacts with its border with the United States. This expansion of powers aims to address concerns about cross-border issues, such as the flow of fentanyl and illegal weapons, which have also been raised by the United States President Donald Trump.
The Act grants the government the power to suspend processing new applications for matters of public health and national security. It also expands the government's authority to open mail during criminal investigations and introduces restrictions on cash transactions above a certain threshold. These provisions have raised concerns about citizens' privacy and the potential for overreach by the government.
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Changes to asylum claims
Canada's new immigration bill, the Strong Borders Act, proposes a series of changes to asylum claims. The bill aims to address Canada's ""unsustainable" immigration levels and secure its borders. Here are the key changes related to asylum claims outlined in the bill:
Restrictions on Asylum Claims:
The new rules will bar asylum claims from individuals who have been in Canada for over a year, making them potentially subject to deportation. This restriction has raised concerns among advocacy groups and law experts, who argue that it could lead to mass deportations and restrict refugee protections.
Safe Third Country Agreement:
The bill will impact individuals entering Canada from the US under the Safe Third Country Agreement. This agreement requires migrants to seek asylum in the first "safe" country they reach, either the US or Canada. Under the new rules, individuals entering Canada from the US under this agreement will have 14 days to file an asylum claim in Canada for it to be considered. Those who miss this deadline will still be eligible for a risk assessment to determine if their safety is at risk if they are sent away.
Processing of Asylum Claims:
The Canadian government has been working on improving the processing of asylum claims while maintaining the fairness and integrity of the asylum system. This includes reviewing visa decision-making processes and providing officers with the tools to detect fraud and reduce the number of non-genuine visitors.
Partial Visa Requirement for Mexican Nationals:
Canada is implementing a partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals, which is part of the measures to address integrity issues and strengthen the in-Canada asylum system.
The changes to asylum claims in Canada's new immigration law aim to balance humanitarian responsibilities with border security and immigration control. However, the restrictions have sparked concerns about their potential impact on refugees and migrants, with some critics calling for a more operational approach to addressing challenges in the immigration system.
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Mail inspection and privacy concerns
Canada's new immigration bill, The Strong Borders Act, has sparked concerns about citizens' privacy and civil liberties. The bill includes provisions that would expand the authority's ability to open and inspect mail, raising questions about the potential breach of privacy.
The bill proposes to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act, granting Canada Post inspection authority to open mail during criminal investigations. This measure aims to curb the movement of fentanyl and combat transnational organised crime. However, critics argue that it gives the government "unchecked power" and threatens the civil liberties of Canadians.
The bill also introduces the Supporting Authorised Access to Information Act (SAAIA), which compels electronic service providers to support law enforcement agencies in criminal and intelligence investigations. This includes providing access to information and communications, raising concerns about the privacy of electronic data. Michael Geist, a law expert from the University of Ottawa, warns that the bill could allow the government to access personal information from service providers such as Microsoft, Google, or Meta.
Furthermore, the bill enhances information sharing between law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and domestic and international partners. While this aims to improve the response to sophisticated criminal networks, critics worry about the potential for privacy breaches and the lack of apparent appeals processes regarding information sharing.
Overall, while the Canadian government asserts that The Strong Borders Act aims to protect Canadians' privacy and Charter rights, the expanded mail inspection and information-sharing provisions have sparked concerns about privacy and civil liberties among citizens and experts.
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New Express Entry system
Canada's new immigration bill, the Strong Borders Act, proposes a significant shift in immigration policy, including an expansion of the Canadian Coast Guard's security powers, restrictions on asylum access, and measures to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country. The bill addresses concerns about border security and transnational organised crime, while also aiming to fulfil humanitarian responsibilities and strengthen the in-Canada asylum system.
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a one-year deadline for asylum claims, barring asylum claims from those who have been in Canada for over a year. This change has been criticised for mirroring the US's one-year policy and potentially subjecting refugees to deportation.
Another key aspect of the new bill is its focus on addressing labour shortages by introducing a category-based Express Entry round of invitations for skilled foreign workers. The Express Entry system targets occupations in demand, aiming to address labour shortages in sectors facing worker deficits. This includes the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which has issued a significant number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency to skilled professionals.
The Express Entry system is the fastest method of immigration to Canada, with applications typically processed within six months. Candidates can use the Canada Immigration points calculator to assess their eligibility and determine the required funds for the application process.
While the new bill aims to address challenges with the immigration system, it has also faced criticism from advocacy groups and law experts. Concerns have been raised about citizens' privacy, the lack of apparent appeals processes, and the potential for mass deportations. The bill's impact on refugee protections and migration flows between the US and Canada has also been highlighted as areas of worry.
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Provincial Nominee Programs
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a pathway to immigrate to Canada. It allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals who meet specific criteria and intend to reside in the province. PNPs are designed to meet the local labour market and economic needs of the province or territory.
Each province or territory with a PNP has its own unique streams and criteria for nomination. For example, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, formerly known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), consists of eight streams divided into two main categories: one for workers and the other for entrepreneurs. Similarly, the BC PNP consists of the Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, and Entrepreneur Immigration Streams, targeting skilled workers, international graduates, and other professionals with skills, experience, and qualifications needed in B.C.
To be eligible for a PNP, candidates must meet certain criteria, including language proficiency, education, work experience, and Canadian connections. Once a candidate has met the criteria and received a nomination certificate from the province or territory, they can apply for permanent residence. It is important to note that each PNP stream has its own language standards, and candidates must complete an officially designated language test.
The PNP is beneficial for both immigrants and the province or territory. Immigrants who arrive through the PNP tend to have strong labour market outcomes, earning high wages and experiencing low unemployment rates. Additionally, they can quickly integrate into the Canadian job market due to their high levels of human capital and Canadian work experience.
Not all provinces and territories in Canada offer PNP. As of 2024, Nunavut, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories do not have provincial nominee programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Canada's new immigration bill, the Strong Borders Act, proposes a series of sweeping changes to the country's immigration policy. The law aims to curb the flow of illegal weapons, tackle transnational organised crime, and restrict asylum applications.
The new law introduces a one-year deadline for asylum claims. Asylum claims will be barred for those who have been in Canada for over a year, and they may be subject to deportation.
Under the Safe Third Country Agreement, people entering Canada from the US must file an asylum claim within 14 days for it to be considered.
The Strong Borders Act expands the government's authority to inspect mail and introduces restrictions on cash transactions above C$10,000. It also gives the Canadian Coast Guard greater powers to conduct security patrols.
The new law has been criticised by some advocacy groups, who argue that it restricts refugee protections and could lead to mass deportations. There are also concerns about citizens' privacy and the lack of apparent appeals processes.
