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C-12

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45th Parliament · Session 1

Bill C-12: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures

Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

Introduced

October 8, 2025

Current Stage

RoyalAssentGiven

Last Updated

March 26, 2026

Sponsor

Gary Anandasangaree

Community Support

Community Vote

25% Support

4 votes

Politicians' Vote

98% Support

335 MPs

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Engagement

Votes

4

Comments

0

Follows

1

Parliamentary Votes

4

Statements

658

Bill C-12

Thu Mar 26 2026

An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures

Impact Rating

5/5

Short Summary

Moves the Coast Guard to National Defence, imposes a 1-year deadline on asylum claims, tightens irregular border rules, and drastically increases money laundering fines.

Immigration Reform
National Defence
Asylum Seekers
Money Laundering
Coast Guard

This is a massive omnibus bill that fundamentally reshapes Canada's border security, immigration system, and financial crime laws. It proposes moving responsibility for the Canadian Coast Guard to the Minister of National Defence, tightening rules for asylum seekers (including a ban on claims made more than one year after entry), and giving the Immigration Minister broad powers to pause or cancel visa processing. It also strengthens the Sex Offender Registry and drastically increases fines for banks and businesses that fail to catch money laundering.

Why does this bill exist?

Origin (Public Outcry/Event)

Response to multiple pressures: the crisis of irregular border crossings, the 'snow washing' money laundering scandals, and the opioid crisis.

  • Responsibility for the Canadian Coast Guard is transferred from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to the Minister of National Defence.

  • Refugee claims will be deemed 'ineligible' if the person has been in Canada for more than one year before claiming.

  • Refugee claims made by people who crossed the border irregularly (not at a Port of Entry) may be deemed ineligible if not made within a specific timeframe.

  • The Immigration Minister gains the power to pause, suspend, or terminate the processing of any type of visa application if deemed in the 'public interest'.

  • Introduces 'Temporary Accelerated Scheduling' allowing the Health Minister to quickly ban chemicals (precursors) used to make illegal drugs like fentanyl.

  • Money laundering fines for businesses (like banks) are increased to a maximum of $20 million or 3% of global revenue.

  • Sex offenders must report changes to their vehicle (license plate, model) within 7 days, and this data will be shared with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

  • Establishes a mandatory enrollment system for businesses subject to anti-money laundering rules.

Asylum Seekers

(Rights Restricted)

If you wait more than 1 year to file a claim after entering Canada, you are automatically ineligible.

Bank/Business Owners

(Harder)

Must enroll in a new government registry and face fines up to $20 million for failing to catch dirty money.

Registered Sex Offenders

(Harder)

Must report car changes within 7 days; travel history is scrutinized more closely by border agents.

Coast Guard Employees

(Neutral)

Reporting structure shifts to the Minister of National Defence, potentially changing workplace culture.

Provincial Impact

Provincial Impact

Low (Information Sharing) Interaction

Provinces will receive more data from the federal government regarding immigration status and sex offenders, but do not need to pass new laws.

Benefits & Pros

Closes loopholes that allow individuals to live in Canada for years before claiming asylum to avoid deportation.

Moving the Coast Guard to National Defence could improve Arctic security and coordination during national emergencies.

Drastically tougher fines may force banks and real estate developers to take money laundering seriously.

Allows the government to react much faster to ban new chemicals used to manufacture illegal street drugs.

Enhanced information sharing helps border agents identify sex offenders traveling in and out of the country.

Beneficiaries

Department of National Defence (Gains assets)
Police Services (Easier access to data)
Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Risks & Cons

The 1-year deadline for asylum claims may penalize genuine refugees who are traumatized or unaware of the legal timeline.

Moving the Coast Guard to National Defence effectively militarizes a service traditionally focused on marine safety and science.

Granting the Minister power to unilaterally stop visa processing 'in the public interest' creates a risk of arbitrary discrimination against specific nationalities.

Increased data sharing between Immigration and provinces raises privacy concerns for vulnerable populations.

Affected Groups

Irregular Asylum Seekers
Banks and Financial Institutions (Higher compliance risk)
Importers of Chemical Precursors

Before & After

Currently: A person enters Canada on a student visa, overstays, and claims asylum 2 years later. Their claim is processed normally. Under this Bill: That person's asylum claim is automatically ineligible because it was made more than 1 year after entry, and they face immediate removal.

Real World Scenario

Currently: A real estate firm that ignores money laundering rules might get a small fine. Under this Bill: That firm could be fined up to $20 million or 3% of their global revenue, and forced into a strict 'compliance agreement' with the government.

Frequently Asked Questions

Votes on this bill

Vote 59

Agreed To

Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 48)

Thu Dec 11 2025

Yeas: 327

Nays: 8

Total: 335

Vote 58

Agreed To

Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 22)

Thu Dec 11 2025

Yeas: 327

Nays: 8

Total: 335

Vote 57

Negatived

Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 2)

Thu Dec 11 2025

Yeas: 8

Nays: 327

Total: 335

Vote 56

Negatived

Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures (report stage amendment) (Motion No. 1)

Thu Dec 11 2025

Yeas: 147

Nays: 188

Total: 335

Sponsor

Gary Anandasangaree

Member of Parliament

House of Commons

First reading

Completed on October 8, 2025

Second reading

Completed on October 23, 2025

Consideration in committee

Completed on November 28, 2025

Report stage

Completed on December 11, 2025

Third reading

Completed on December 11, 2025

Senate

First reading

Completed on December 11, 2025

Second reading

Completed on February 5, 2026

Consideration in committee

Completed on February 25, 2026

Third reading

Completed on March 12, 2026

Royal Assent

Royal assent

Completed on March 26, 2026

Abuse Potential

The bill grants the Governor in Council (Cabinet) extremely broad powers to 'pause' or 'terminate' the processing of visa applications if they deem it in the 'public interest' (Section 87.301). Theoretically, a future government could use this to quietly ban all immigration from a specific country or demographic without passing a new law or facing a parliamentary vote, simply by issuing an administrative order to stop processing their applications.

Implementation Risk

High. Merging the Coast Guard (a civilian organization) under the Minister of National Defence involves massive logistical, union, and cultural challenges that could disrupt operations.

Broad Economic Impact

Indirect. Toughening money laundering laws helps stabilize the housing market and economy by removing 'dirty money'.

Everyday Life

Minimal impact. Average citizens will see no change.

Admin Burden

High for businesses. Financial entities have new enrollment and reporting requirements.

Timeline

Most security measures take effect upon Royal Assent; Coast Guard transfer and complex regulations will be phased in.