Canada has introduced a sweeping immigration reform bill known as the Strong Borders Act, aiming to tighten security and curb illegal activities at the U.S.-Canada border. Introduced on June 3 by Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page legislation expands the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, restricts asylum access, and addresses the influx of fentanyl into the country.
The bill declares its purpose is to “strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering.”
Key Provisions of the Strong Borders Act
Among the notable measures, the bill:
Grants the Canadian Coast Guard expanded authority to conduct security patrols, gather intelligence, and collaborate with U.S. agencies.
Empowers Canada Post and law enforcement to inspect mail more freely to intercept fentanyl shipments linked to organized crime.
Imposes stricter regulations on cash transactions over $10,000 to curb money laundering.
Changes asylum procedures by barring applicants who have been in Canada for over a year, applying retroactively to those arriving after June 24, 2020.
Allows the government to pause new immigration applications and revoke or suspend immigration documents immediately.
Context and U.S. Pressure
The legislation follows concerns raised by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Canada of insufficiently addressing fentanyl trafficking and irregular migration. In February, Trump imposed tariffs on Canada citing illicit drug flow and alleged that Canadian territory was being used by Mexican cartels to synthesize fentanyl and related drugs.
Opposition Voices Concerns Over Civil Liberties and Refugee Protections
The bill has faced strong criticism from Canadian politicians, human rights groups, and immigration advocates, who warn it undermines civil liberties and violates international refugee obligations.
Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, called the bill “alarming,” arguing it grants the government unchecked power to cancel or suspend immigration applications without due process. She also highlighted concerns about privacy and the absence of clear appeals mechanisms.
Migrant Rights Network condemned the bill for potentially enabling mass deportations and stripping migrants of legal protections, accusing the government of capitulating to racism and xenophobia. Their spokesperson, Syed Hussan, warned that the bill would exacerbate an already critical humanitarian situation worsened by prior immigration cuts.
Gauri Sreenivasan, co-executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, noted the bill’s similarity to U.S. immigration policies, which she believes could force vulnerable individuals into precarious living conditions without legal status.
Kelly Sundberg, a former Canada Border Services Agency officer, criticized the bill as ineffective for public safety and suggested it primarily serves to appease U.S. political demands.
Law professor Sharry Aikan of Queen’s University acknowledged the need to fix immigration system challenges but argued that legislative changes should not dismantle existing protections. She particularly opposed the one-year asylum claim limit, which she said disregards changing circumstances in applicants’ home countries and echoes U.S. policy rather than Canada’s values.
While the Strong Borders Act aims to bolster border security and address organized crime and drug trafficking, its critics contend that it risks compromising fundamental rights and refugee protections in Canada. The debate highlights the tension between national security priorities and humanitarian obligations as Canada reshapes its immigration framework.
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