Canada Enacts Bill C-12 to Tighten Asylum Rules and Strengthen Immigration System

Ottawa – The Government of Canada has officially enacted sweeping immigration reforms after Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent on March 26, 2026. Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the legislation introduces major changes aimed at tightening asylum eligibility, modernizing processing systems, and enhancing government oversight.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of stricter eligibility rules for asylum claims. Under the new law, individuals who apply for asylum more than one year after first entering Canada, if that entry occurred after June 24, 2020, will no longer have their claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Additionally, those who cross irregularly between official border points along the Canada – US land border and wait more than 14 days before making a claim will also be deemed ineligible for referral.

Despite these restrictions, affected individuals will still be able to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) to ensure they are not returned to countries where they may face persecution, torture, or serious harm. The government also confirmed that the Safe Third Country Agreement remains unchanged.

Bill C-12 also outlines a modernization of the asylum system to improve efficiency and reduce backlogs. Planned regulatory updates will streamline online applications, ensure only complete cases are referred for hearings, and require claimants to remain physically present in Canada during the decision process. Claims may be considered abandoned if individuals voluntarily return to their home country before a decision is made.

Further changes include new legal authorities allowing IRCC to expand domestic information-sharing with federal, provincial, and territorial partners. These measures aim to improve coordination across programs while maintaining privacy safeguards through formal agreements and oversight mechanisms such as privacy impact assessments.

The legislation also grants the federal government broader authority to manage immigration documents and applications in response to public interest concerns, including fraud, public health, and national security. With approval from the Governor in Council, officials may now pause application intake, cancel or suspend documents, or halt processing for specific groups. These decisions will be publicly reported and subject to parliamentary oversight.

Officials say the reforms are designed to create a more efficient, secure, and sustainable immigration system while safeguarding Canada’s commitment to protecting those in genuine need of asylum.