On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12: Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act became law. It reshapes Canada’s refugee claims system, expands government discretion over immigration documents, and increases government power to share personal information.
Read the explainer to understand what’s in the bill, why it was introduced, and what it means for refugee claimants, temporary migrants, and community organizations.
Why does this matter?
The government says Bill C-12 will reduce backlogs, close loopholes in immigration rules, deter misuse of the refugee system, and make processes more efficient. However, migrant rights and civil society organizations argue it will:
- Undermine refugee protection and procedural fairness
- Exacerbate vulnerability for temporary residents and people seeking protection
- Broaden executive discretion and sharing of personal data
- Shift or even increase (rather than reduce) backlogs
- Erode legal and constitutional protections
About the author
Lisa Ruth Brunner, PhD, is a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia Centre for Migration Studies. She studies immigration, citizenship, and education, with expertise in international student mobility, multi-step migration, and refugee resettlement. She has over fifteen years of professional experience in newcomer settlement in Canada and the U.S. and has been a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant since 2014.
Suggested citation
Brunner, Lisa Ruth. 2026. “How will Bill C-12 impact Canadian immigration and refugee protection?” Immigration Policy Decoded (No. 2026-01). Vancouver: University of British Columbia Centre for Migration Studies.
Copyright: UBC Centre for Migration Studies
Availability: Web & Print
Publication date: April 20, 2026 (No. 1)
Pages: 9