The bon National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs has formally reported Bill C-12 to the Senate without any amendments. The third reading of the legislation is scheduled for , March 15, 2026.
If the Senate approves the bill during the third reading with no further changes, the only remaining step will be Royal Assent. This final stage could occur within a few days, allowing the bill to officially become law soon after.
Notably, the Social Affairs Committee’s earlier recommendation to remove Parts 5 through 8 of the bill was not accepted. These sections include controversial measures such as mass cancellation powers and the one-year asylum deadline. As a result, all immigration-related provisions remain part of the legislation.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab defended the proposed asylum restrictions during her speech at the Canadian Club Toronto on March 18. She stated that individuals who have been in Canada for over a year should not be filing new asylum claims.
If implemented, the one-year restriction will apply retroactively to June 24, 2026. This means individuals who entered Canada after that date and have not yet filed an asylum claim could be affected.
Previous Updates on Bill C-12
On March 24, 2026, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs approved the immigration provisions of Bill C-12 without making any changes.
This decision came despite recommendations from the Senate Social Affairs Committee to remove Parts 5 through 8 of the legislation.
During its March 23 session, the National Security Committee rejected all proposed amendments related to immigration measures.
These rejected proposals included extending the one-year asylum deadline to three years, creating exemptions for minors who arrived in Canada with their parents, and narrowing the definition of “public interest” related to large-scale document cancellations.
Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak proposed an amendment to extend the asylum ineligibility period from one year to three years, but the amendment was voted down.
Another amendment proposed by Senator Suze Youance aimed to exempt minors from the one-year asylum deadline, but it was also rejected. However, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab indicated that the government may consider creating a similar exemption through future regulations.
Independent Senator Tony Dean presented a letter from Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab supporting the bill and highlighting bipartisan backing in the House of Commons.
The ministers also noted that British Columbia Premier David Eby has called for the legislation to pass quickly.
With the committee stage completed and immigration measures still intact, Royal Assent could potentially arrive as early as March 2026.
Final implementation details and regulatory exemptions will likely become clear only after the legislation receives Royal Assent.
What the Senate Social Affairs Committee Recommended
Before the National Security Committee finalized its review, the Senate Social Affairs Committee released a report on March 23, 2026 recommending significant changes to Bill C-12.
The committee suggested removing Parts 5 through 8 of the legislation entirely. These sections include some of the most controversial elements of the bill, including expanded government authority to cancel or modify immigration documents such as study permits and work permits on a large scale.
During hearings, the committee listened to testimony from various organizations including the Canadian Bar Association, Amnesty International, the UNHCR, and the Migrant Rights Network.
Several witnesses raised concerns that the proposed legislation could grant excessive executive power and disproportionately impact vulnerable groups including women, children, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
If complete removal of these sections was not possible, the committee recommended implementing stronger parliamentary oversight and introducing a sunset clause requiring future parliamentary review.
Civil society organizations welcomed the committee’s recommendations. Karen Cocq, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network, said the hearings allowed senators to hear directly from people who could be affected by the bill.
Major Concerns Raised During Committee Hearings
Mass Cancellation Powers
One of the most debated provisions of Bill C-12 allows the federal cabinet to cancel or modify immigration documents in large numbers if it determines that doing so is in the public interest.
These documents could include permanent resident visas, study permits, work permits, and permanent resident cards.
Witnesses expressed concern that such broad powers could be misused if clear limitations were not defined.
Some participants pointed to historical examples where immigration powers were used unfairly against certain groups, including Japanese Canadians during the Second World War and Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
Although the government says the powers would mainly address issues such as fraud, public health emergencies, administrative errors, and national security threats, the committee recommended narrowing the definition of “public interest” or removing the provision entirely.
One-Year Asylum Deadline
Another controversial aspect of Bill C-12 is the proposed one-year deadline for asylum claims.
Under this rule, individuals who have been in Canada for more than one year would not be able to submit a refugee claim through the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Instead, they would be directed to a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) process.
The proposed rule would also apply retroactively to June 24, 2026.
Witnesses told the committee that this could create unfair situations. For example, someone who entered Canada as a child or tourist could become ineligible to file a full refugee claim years later if their circumstances changed.
The Social Affairs Committee recommended extending the deadline to five years and removing the retroactive application.
Information Sharing Provisions
Bill C-12 also proposes expanding the government’s ability to share personal information of migrants with other federal departments, provincial governments, and foreign authorities.
The committee recommended limiting these powers by excluding permanent residents and naturalized Canadian citizens from the information-sharing provisions.
It also recommended requiring oversight from the Privacy Commissioner before such information sharing could occur.
Concerns About a Two-Tier Asylum System
Another major concern raised during committee hearings was that Bill C-12 could create a two-tier asylum system.
Individuals who miss the one-year deadline would not receive a full hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board. Instead, their case would be handled through the PRRA process.
Legal experts and advocacy groups including the Canadian Bar Association and Amnesty International argued that the PRRA system may not always guarantee in-person hearings.
This could particularly affect vulnerable applicants such as survivors of domestic violence or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The UNHCR recommended ensuring that applicants receive hearings unless there is strong evidence supporting their claim based solely on written submissions.
The Government’s Position on Bill C-12
The federal government has defended Bill C-12 as an essential reform to strengthen Canada’s immigration system.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized that Canada’s asylum system is currently under significant pressure.
According to government data, asylum claims declined by about one-third in 2026 compared with 2024.
However, the Immigration and Refugee Board still faces a backlog of around 300,000 cases.
Average processing times have reached approximately 17 months.
The government believes that streamlined procedures introduced through Bill C-12 will help reduce delays while still protecting individuals who genuinely need refuge.
What Bill C-12 Means for Immigration Applicants
For temporary residents and immigration applicants currently in Canada, Bill C-12 could introduce important changes to how the immigration system operates.
Although the final outcome of the bill is not yet confirmed, individuals should continue to maintain their legal status under current rules.
If the legislation becomes law, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will release detailed transition measures explaining how the new policies will apply.
Anyone considering filing an asylum claim should seek legal advice as soon as possible to understand how the proposed one-year rule could affect their eligibility.
Key Details of Bill C-12
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bill Name | Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act |
| Latest Senate Update | Reported to Senate without amendments |
| Third Reading Date | March 26, 2026 |
| Possible Royal Assent | Expected in March 2026 |
| Main Policy Change | One-year asylum claim deadline |
| Retroactive Rule | Applies to arrivals after June 24, 2026 |
