“A closer look at how Ottawa plans to protect the integrity of its immigration and asylum systems while prioritizing security, fairness, and trust.”
In a bold step toward reinforcing national security and restoring public confidence in immigration, the Government of Canada has released additional details on the proposed Strong Borders Act, a sweeping legislative package introduced earlier this month.
Framed around balance and fairness, the Act aims to make Canada’s immigration and asylum systems more responsive to emerging threats, while preserving the country’s proud humanitarian tradition. The legislation is not only about fortifying borders—it’s also about modernizing how the country manages migration in the face of unpredictable global pressures.
Here’s a breakdown of the key measures in the Act, and what they mean for applicants, asylum seekers, and Canadians alike.
GREATER AUTHORITY OVER IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
At the heart of the Act is the government’s enhanced ability to cancel, suspend or alter immigration documents—including visas, eTAs, and permits—when it is deemed to be in the public interest.
What qualifies as “public interest”? The legislation outlines broad scenarios, including:
- Threats to program fairness or integrity.
- Risks to public safety, health, or national security.
- Misuse of publicly funded programs.
- Large-scale emergencies or other unforeseen events.
Notably, these expanded powers do not apply to asylum claims. The law is strictly focused on immigration documentation and does not authorize the cancellation of refugee applications.
Importantly, the decision to activate these powers would be made by the Governor in Council, taking into account potential effects on vulnerable populations. Even if an order is issued to pause or cancel immigration documents, it does not automatically revoke someone’s temporary or permanent residency status.
IMPROVED INFORMATION SHARING WITH PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES
The Act also aims to close critical gaps in how immigration information is shared within Canada—but not with the United States.
Currently, IRCC shares client data with other federal or provincial bodies only in limited, case-by-case situations. The new law would allow for systematic information-sharing, enabling faster and more efficient collaboration.
This would help authorities:
- Confirm identities to streamline access to public services.
- Detect fraud or abuse across benefit programs.
- Support law enforcement and immigration investigations
Safeguards are embedded in the law to prevent misuse. All data sharing will follow Canadian privacy
laws and require formal information-sharing agreements. Provinces and territories would also be
prohibited from passing this information to foreign governments unless explicitly authorized and aligned
with Canada’s human rights obligations.
FASTER, SIMPLER ASYLUM PROCESSING
The Strong Borders Act proposes major reforms to how asylum claims are received, processed, and decided, making the system more efficient without compromising Canada’s international commitments to refugee protection.
Key changes include:
- A unified, simplified digital platform for all asylum claims—whether made at the border or inland.
- Faster referrals of complete claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
- Ensuring decisions are made only while claimants are in Canada.
- Clearing inactive cases from the system.
- Making removal orders effective immediately if a claim is withdrawn.
- Appointing designated representatives to support vulnerable claimants like unaccompanied minors.
Taken together, these updates will help reduce delays and make the system more navigable for those genuinely in need of protection.
NEW INELIGIBILITY RULES FOR LATE OR IRREGULAR CLAIMS
To preserve the integrity of the asylum system, the Act introduces two new ineligibility criteria designed to deter misuse and reduce backlog:
Late claims: Individuals who make an asylum claim more than one year after arriving in Canada (post-June 24, 2020) will no longer have their claim referred to the IRB—regardless of whether they’ve left and returned.
Irregular border crossings: Those who enter Canada illegally from the U.S. between official ports of entry and wait more than 14 days to make a claim will also be deemed ineligible.
These provisions will take effect for all claims made on or after June 3, 2025.
Importantly, being ineligible for an IRB hearing is not the same as being denied protection altogether. Affected individuals can still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), a process that considers threats of torture, persecution, or harm in the claimant’s home country.
REBUILDING TRUST WHILE PROTECTING RIGHTS
In introducing the Strong Borders Act, the Government of Canada is trying to walk a tightrope—tightening border controls while reaffirming its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
“Canada’s immigration system has long been a source of pride and a key driver of economic growth,” the government said in its statement. “The Strong Borders Act is about protecting the integrity of our system while building a safer and more equitable Canada.”
With pressure mounting on the immigration system and growing calls for accountability, this legislation could reshape the landscape of Canadian migration policy for years to come.
