On March 26, 2026, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) received Royal Assent, enhancing immigration and asylum systems and providing law enforcement with new tools to secure borders and combat organized crime.
The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) was granted Royal Assent on March 26, 2026. This legislation improves asylum claim processing, introduces new ineligibility rules, enhances information sharing within IRCC, and strengthens the Canada Border Services Agency's and other agencies' authorities. It also bolsters efforts against transnational organized crime, illegal fentanyl, and illicit financing through amendments to drug control laws and anti-money laundering regimes.
- Improves asylum claim processing and introduces new ineligibility rules to protect the asylum system against sudden increases in claims.
- Introduces new tools to manage immigration documents and related applications and improves domestic information sharing by IRCC.
- Strengthens the Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to examine goods destined for export, matching existing import authorities.
- Allows the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze, and disseminate security-related information and intelligence.
- Enhances the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s ability to share information on registered sex offenders.
- Amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to allow accelerated scheduling of precursor chemicals used in illegal drug production.
- Strengthens Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime with tougher penalties and enhanced federal agency collaboration.
- New ineligibility rules for asylum claims to manage sudden claim increases.
- Expanded authorities for CBSA to inspect export goods.
- Canadian Coast Guard empowered to conduct security patrols and intelligence activities.
- Enhanced information sharing on registered sex offenders by RCMP.
- Accelerated scheduling pathway for controlling precursor chemicals under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Tougher penalties and improved supervisory collaboration in anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing efforts.
- Asylum seekers subject to new processing and eligibility rules.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel.
- Law enforcement agencies including the RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard.
- Individuals and entities involved in transnational organized crime, illegal fentanyl trade, and illicit financing.
- March 26, 2026: Bill C-12 received Royal Assent.