A proposed bill that aims to introduce reforms to Canada’s immigration system is up for its third reading in the Senate this week.
Nicholas Hayley
Kicker
Bill C-12, a bill that suggests major reforms to Canada’s immigration system, is currently under review within the Senate as the third and final reading looms today, Thursday, Feb. 26.
The bill and its proposed powers will provide the federal government with the ability to cancel pending study, work or permanent residence visas that are in backlog. It also expands the ability of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to search exports at ports for contraband such as drugs and stolen cars.
Furthermore, it cracks down on fraud, as the Liberal government believes many refugees have made fraudulent asylum claims in the past.
According to the government of Canada’s online database, the number of total applicants in backlog is 1,014,700 as of December 2025.
Bill C-12 is the successor to Bill C-2, a bill that looked to introduce reforms to Canada’s asylum claiming process. Under law, it would allow the refusal to grant asylum claims to certain refugees, even after a one-year period of living in Canada under a visa.
Together, the bills C-2 and C-12 tighten Canada’s immigration system to a degree that some refugee advocacy groups have labeled extreme.
One such group within St. John’s is Thorn Garden YYT, which describes itself as an anti-fascist collective. It held a rally against C-12 on Saturday.
“We know it (Bill C-12) will be used against the most marginalized among us,” said Vanessa Quinn, a representative for the group.
The protesters also urged some Canadian-led companies to end their support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States. Some Canadian companies currently hold active contracts with the American agency to supply products such as armoured vehicles. ICE has been embroiled in controversy, especially after agents killed two people recently in Minneapolis.
Many advocacy groups express concerns that further restrictions placed on the asylum-seeking process will leave marginalized or vulnerable peoples unprotected from enduring persecution and discrimination within their home countries.
Quinn further stated that as St. John’s is a particularly diverse city, there will be extensive pushback within the Metro area.
“I think we’re going to see a lot more organizing around it here because a lot of people who are affected by this bill do live here,” Quinn said.
Another voice from Saturday’s rally was Munroe Molotov, an artist and advocate active within St. John’s and the Metro area.
Molotov feels that Bill C-12 and its implications have not garnered enough attention or pushback from Canadians.
“I noticed there have been (End Bill C-12) stickers around, but I haven’t seen any action or protest”, Molotov said, who noted the bill’s passing was imminent.
The bill’s third reading will take place today, Feb. 26. If it passes its third reading without amendments and receives royal assent from the monarchy, it will become law.
Be the first to comment