Bill C-2: Key Impacts on Canadian Immigration and Refugee Claims

Government Strengthens Border Security (June 3, 2025)

On June 3, 2025, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, introduced the Strong Borders Act to Parliament. This legislation aims to enhance Canada’s border security, combat organized crime, and address the growing pressures of migration at the Canada–U.S. border.

Amend the Oceans Act to expand the Canadian Coast Guard’s role in security activities, enabling Arctic patrols and intelligence sharing to protect sovereignty.
Strengthen the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to improve information sharing and track high-risk individuals more effectively.
Enhance law enforcement powers to search mail and disrupt illicit financial flows, including money laundering and fentanyl trafficking.
Improve immigration and asylum system flexibility by giving officials greater authority to pause or cancel applications when public-interest or security concerns arise.

“Our government made a commitment to keep our communities safe and work with our American partners to strengthen our border. The Strong Borders Act will help us tackle organized crime, and further equip our border and law enforcement agencies with the authorities and resources they need to keep our border secure, for both American and Canadian communities.”
– The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

“Canada is taking action to respond to rising migration pressures. We’re improving security at the Canada–U.S. border and making our immigration and asylum systems stronger, more flexible, and responsive to new and developing pressures. This is about protecting the integrity of our system while building a safer and more resilient Canada.”
– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Bill C-2: Key Impacts on Canadian Immigration and Refugee Claims

In February 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-2 (An Act to amend the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and other Acts), commonly referred to as the “Emergency Measures Act.” While its broader purpose addresses national emergencies, several provisions directly affect Canadian immigration, refugee protection, and the way Canada processes asylum seekers. This blog breaks down the most significant changes under Bill C-2 for immigrants and refugee claimants, offering insight into how these amendments shape eligibility, application processing, and government powers under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

1. Enhanced Information Sharing Between Departments

Part 6 of Bill C-2 amends the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act and IRPA to allow the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to share personal and application data with other federal and provincial entities. Under the new regulatory framework, information collected from Express Entry profiles, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications, or other immigration streams may be exchanged with:

Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
Provincial ministries responsible for immigration, healthcare, and social services
Correctional Service Canada (if security or public-interest risks arise)

Implications:
• Quicker coordination on public-interest matters, such as terrorism risks or serious criminal investigations.
• Faster verification for work-permit and study-permit applications when provincial or federal programs require it.
• Potential privacy concerns; claimants and applicants should understand how their data may be used.

2. Streamlining and Tightening the Refugee-Claim Process

Part 7 of Bill C-2 introduces several targeted reforms to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) and Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) under IRPA. The goal is to reduce backlogs, discourage baseless claims, and ensure that only bona fide refugees obtain protection.

Reform Area	Previous IRPA Rules	Changes Under Bill C-2
Designated Countries of Origin	IRPA allowed “Designated Countries of Origin” (DCO) to fast-track claims from safe countries.	Bill C-2 removes the DCO regime entirely, eliminating separate processing streams.
Required Documentation	Claimants submitted minimal identity/eligibility documents; specifics varied by case.	Minister may now regulate specific documents (e.g., passport copies, birth certificates, police clearances) required at claim time.
Claim Abandonment & Withdrawal	RPD could take no formal action if a claimant failed to appear; withdrawal was claimant-initiated.	RPD may declare claims abandoned if documents or attendance are missing. Minister can deem claims withdrawn under specified conditions.
In-Country Presence Requirement	A claimant’s physical presence was generally assumed; out-of-country appeals occasionally processed on a case-by-case basis.	Proceedings suspend automatically if a claimant is not physically in Canada. Only in-country claimants continue in RPD/RAD streams.
Decision and Reasons Format	RPD/RAD decisions could vary in structure; no standardized format mandated by IRPA.	IRB must now issue decisions and written reasons in the form and manner prescribed by the Chairperson, ensuring uniformity.
Representation for Vulnerable Claimants	No explicit IRPA requirement to assign a representative; vulnerable claimants navigated the system with limited support.	Regulations may mandate a representative for minors or those unable to understand proceedings, improving safeguards for vulnerable individuals.

3. Expanded “Public-Interest” Authorities

Part 8 introduces broad powers allowing the Governor in Council (essentially Cabinet) to act swiftly if a sudden national or security emergency arises:

Suspend or refuse classes of IRPA applications: For example, halting all new work permit processing from a specific region if deemed a security threat.
Cancel or vary existing immigration documents: Visas, study permits, or permanent resident cards can be revoked or amended en masse in “public-interest” scenarios (e.g., post-attack security measures).
Impose mandatory examinations: IRPA orders may require applicants to attend interviews, submit to screening, or deliver further evidence on short notice.

Implications for Immigrants:
• Greater flexibility for government to intervene during emergencies (e.g., health outbreaks, national security alerts).
• Potential for rapid policy shifts; applicants should monitor IRCC bulletins closely.
• Temporary suspension of application streams could delay Express Entry, PNP, or study/work permits.

4. Additional Ineligibility Grounds for Refugee Claims

Part 9 of Bill C-2 adds two new discretionary grounds under IRPA that allow the Minister to refuse or terminate refugee claims based on “public-interest” considerations. Although the exact statutory language will appear in forthcoming regulations, the broad categories include:

Surge Control: If a sudden influx of claimants from a particular region threatens system capacity, the Minister may deem new claims ineligible.
Public Safety Risks: Claimants with suspected links to terrorism or criminal activities can be barred—even before a full RPD hearing.

Transitional provisions ensure that any refugee claim filed before Bill C-2’s enforcement date proceeds under the prior IRPA criteria. New claims after the effective date will be assessed against these added exclusions.

5. Practical Impacts and Next Steps

Express Entry and PNP Candidates: Enhanced data-sharing may lead to faster eligibility checks, but stay informed about any “public-interest” suspensions that could pause draws or invitations. Ensure all supporting documents are ready before submission.
Refugee Claimants: Be prepared for stricter documentation requirements. If you have a pending claim, maintain physical presence in Canada during processing, and consult legal counsel about representation options for vulnerable groups.
Immigration Lawyers and Consultants: Update intake workflows to capture any new documentary evidence as prescribed by IRCC. Monitor IRPA orders under “public-interest” grounds, and advise clients on possible suspensions or cancellations that could affect their application streams.
General Applicants: Regularly check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) site for regulatory updates, processing notices, and policy bulletins.

Conclusion

Bill C-2 and the newly introduced Strong Borders Act represent a comprehensive effort to modernize Canada’s immigration and security frameworks—balancing rapid response to emergencies with safeguarding refugee protections. Applicants and advisors must stay vigilant for evolving regulations, ensuring timely documentation and awareness of any “public-interest” measures that could affect application streams. For the latest guidance and personalized assistance, consider leveraging AI-driven tools at PathPR.ca.

Are you planning to apply for permanent residency, submit a refugee claim, or stay informed on border security updates? Visit IRCC for the latest guidance or check IRB updates or get your free AI-generated report on PathPR.ca to stay informed.