New Canada Immigration Bill C12 Amendments Proposed By Conservatives

Last Updated On 20 November 2025, 5:23 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, also a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, is calling for sweeping amendments to the federal government’s border security and immigration bill, Bill C12.

She highlighted that Canada’s immigration system is under significant strain and requires urgent structural reform.

Speaking alongside MP Brad Redekopp on November 20, Rempel outlined a wide-ranging list of amendments to Bill C-12 that the Conservative caucus plans to introduce, citing growing public concern, rising asylum numbers, and pressures on social infrastructure.

Her remarks followed months of debate over the direction of Canada’s immigration system, as the federal government faces intense scrutiny over rising temporary resident admissions, operational backlogs, and new security-related reports.

Rempel said the Conservatives will push for amendments that focus on modernizing asylum processes, improving border enforcement, redefining criminality thresholds, and increasing transparency across federal immigration bodies.

The proposals come at a time when immigration has become a central political issue both in Canada and globally.

Rempel referenced developments in the United Kingdom, where recent immigration reforms have reshaped the political landscape and intensified debate over asylum pressures.

She argued that Canada’s per capita asylum volume now exceeds the UK’s, despite Canada having a significantly smaller population.

Conservatives Outline Broad Amendments to Bill C-12

Rempel said the Conservative Party intends to introduce a comprehensive package of reforms during the upcoming clause-by-clause review of Bill C12 at the House of Commons committee on national security.

She described the proposed amendments as “constructive” and aimed at addressing longstanding operational issues that, she argued, have contributed to declining public confidence in Canada’s immigration system.

Core objectives of the Conservative amendments

Strengthen Canada’s asylum processing system
Reduce incentives for fraudulent or unfounded claims
Update detention, removal, and appeals processes
Modernize criminality and deportation rules
Improve transparency in federal reporting
Address operational gaps within the Immigration and Refugee Board
Reinforce screening and verification procedures
Align eligibility rules and benefits with system capacity

Rempel said voters across the political spectrum have become increasingly concerned about operational pressures within the system, rising asylum volumes, and questions related to security screening.

She said the Conservative proposals are intended to address these pressures without targeting newcomers themselves.

Public Confidence and System Capacity

During the announcement, Rempel said declining public trust in immigration is a significant concern, noting that multiple polls show weakening support for higher immigration levels.

She attributed this shift not to sentiment toward immigrants, but to frustration with how the system functions.

Key pressures cited by Rempel

Growth in asylum claims and lengthening processing times
Increasing numbers of temporary foreign workers and study permit holders
Rising costs for health and social programs
Challenges in housing affordability and availability
Reports of gaps in security and verification processes
Complex appeal systems that delay final decisions
Difficulties removing individuals with no legal right to remain in Canada

Rempel said these factors collectively contribute to what she described as a system that is “harder to manage, harder to administer, and harder for Canadians to have confidence in.”

Asylum Trends and Backlogs

One of the primary areas of concern raised by Rempel was the growth in Canada’s asylum system.

Over the last decade, the number of asylum claims has expanded significantly, leading to increased operational pressures on decision-makers, the appeals system, and social services.

Factors influencing increased asylum numbers

Individuals crossing the border between official ports of entry and requesting asylum
Refugee claims filed after applicants were rejected in the United States
A surge in claims from certain countries after visa requirements were lifted
Rising numbers of temporary residents requesting asylum while already in Canada
Longer appeal timelines creating additional delays in case resolution

The asylum backlog has risen from fewer than 10,000 cases in 2015 to nearly 300,000 in 2024.

Appeals can take more than three years, and federal expenditures related to asylum claimants have increased over the same period.

Rempel said these pressures reflect structural issues that require policy adjustments rather than short-term measures.

Proposed Amendments to Reform Asylum Processing

The Conservative caucus plans to introduce a broad series of amendments intended to reduce fraudulent claims, shorten processing times, and increase the ability to remove individuals who do not qualify for protection.

Proposals affecting eligibility and claims

Preventing individuals who traveled through G7 countries from filing asylum claims in Canada
Expanding verification requirements during the initial screening process
Requiring educational institutions to contribute financially when former international students file unfounded asylum claims
Deeming claims abandoned when individuals return to their home countries while cases remain active
Rejecting claims if an officer determines the claimant provided false or misleading information
Shifting the burden of proof to claimants to show they filed a claim in a timely manner
Requiring claimants to submit full grounds for protection at the outset

These measures, according to Rempel, aim to provide support to legitimate refugees while minimizing the potential for abuse.

Proposals affecting benefits and supports

Restricting federal benefits for individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected
Limiting support to emergency health care for failed claimants
Increasing oversight of social program expenditures related to asylum claimants

She said the expansion of federal health care and housing supports over the last decade has contributed to pressures on government programs.

Reforming Asylum Appeals, Reviews, and Federal Reporting

Rempel said the current appeal and judicial review processes include multiple layers that can extend timelines significantly and require updates to improve efficiency.

Proposed changes to appeals and oversight

Modernizing appeal structures to reduce duplicative steps
Updating the judicial review process to streamline case handling
Requiring federal departments to provide regular public reports on asylum-related expenditures
Expanding the annual immigration report to Parliament to include new performance and compliance data

She suggested that the current reporting structure does not provide enough information for lawmakers or the public to easily assess program performance.

Updating the Immigration and Refugee Board

The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) plays a central role in hearing asylum claims and related appeals.

Rempel said several structural changes could support improved decision-making and greater accountability.

Proposed changes to IRB governance and appointments

Modernizing the appointment process to reduce politicization
Ensuring board leadership reflects current immigration trends and provincial demographics
Including candidates with law enforcement or investigative backgrounds among board members
Increasing oversight mechanisms tied to performance benchmarks

She said the IRB’s appointment structure has remained largely unchanged despite shifts in claim volumes and country of origin patterns.

Strengthening Border Security and Criminality Rules

In addition to asylum reforms, Rempel outlined amendments aimed at tightening rules surrounding non-citizens convicted of serious crimes in Canada.

She said changes to existing criminality thresholds and deportation procedures are needed to address recent cases reported in the media.

Updating the definition of serious criminality to include all indictable offenses
Applying the same standard to hybrid offenses when prosecuted by indictment
Restricting access to repeat pre-removal risk assessments
Allowing additional appeals only when new evidence or changed conditions exist
Modernizing timelines and enforcement structures for removal orders

Rempel referenced reports of individuals avoiding deportation after receiving sentences below the threshold that triggers mandatory removal. She said the proposed amendments would reduce opportunities for such outcomes.

Addressing concerns about enforcement capacity

Ensuring removal orders are executed within clear timelines
Updating enforcement processes to address operational backlogs
Improving systems for tracking individuals subject to removal

Rempel referenced reports indicating that hundreds of individuals with removal orders could not be accounted for, underscoring the need for updated procedures.

Questions About Screening Processes

During the appearance, Rempel was questioned about reports that asylum claimants could self-declare elements of their security screening.

She said Conservative MPs intend to use upcoming committee meetings to request more details from officials and clarify how the system is being used.

She linked the issue to a separate report that individuals with ties to foreign terrorist organizations may have entered Canada, saying such reports highlight the importance of updated screening procedures.

Provincial Responses and Intergovernmental Concerns

Rempel was also asked whether provincial governments should consider restricting benefits for asylum seekers.

She said federal programs already require updates and that Conservative amendments focus on limiting federal support to emergency health care for failed claimants.

She cited increasing program costs, including federal health expenditures and temporary housing programs, as contributing to pressures on provincial services.

Government Reaction and Outlook

The federal public safety minister has acknowledged that both Bill C-12 and Bill C-2 contain complexities and that improvements may be needed.

Rempel said she hopes the government will consider Conservative proposals but said the increased pressures facing Canada’s immigration system require immediate attention.

She said the amendments are designed to address operational weaknesses and restore public confidence ahead of broader debates on the future of Canada’s immigration levels.

Immigration has been a central pillar of Canada’s population and economic growth strategy for decades, and Rempel said any long-term approach must include credible processing systems, clear removal mechanisms, and transparent decision-making structures.

She said the proposals are intended to support such an approach by addressing current gaps and responding to issues raised by witnesses, experts, and community stakeholders.

The committee studying Bill C-12 will begin reviewing amendments in the coming days, with further debate expected as new testimony is presented.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the primary purpose of Canada’s Bill C12?

Bill C12 is a federal border security and immigration bill aimed at updating Canada’s legislative framework related to border enforcement, identity verification, detention rules, and the management of individuals who enter or remain in the country without proper authorization. It seeks to modernize the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act by improving security processes, clarifying enforcement authorities, and strengthening tools used to manage inadmissibility, removals, and documentation.

How does Bill C12 change Canada’s border enforcement powers?

Bill C12 grants expanded authorities to federal agencies such as the Canada Border Services Agency to verify identity, collect certain types of information, and take enforcement actions when an individual is deemed inadmissible or when documentation is incomplete. It also codifies certain procedures related to detention, release conditions, and the handling of individuals who pose potential security risks or are involved in unresolved immigration violations.

What immigration processes does Bill C12 directly affect?

Bill C12 affects processes linked to inadmissibility determinations, detention and release decisions, the issuance and modification of immigration documents, identity verification protocols, and the handling of refugee claimants or foreign nationals who are out of status. It also impacts how immigration officers can modify, revoke, or impose conditions on visas, permits, and temporary resident documents in matters of public interest or safety.

How does Bill C12 address security screening and identity management?

Bill C12 introduces updated standards for identity verification, including enhanced data-sharing mechanisms and clearer authority for officers to request additional information when concerns arise. It formalizes procedures for confirming biometric or biographic information, clarifies when officers can impose conditions based on screening results, and provides new pathways for addressing cases where identity cannot be fully established.

Does Bill C12 change how removals and inadmissibility decisions are handled?

Bill C12 reinforces existing removal authorities and introduces more detailed rules governing the timelines, conditions, and administrative steps required for removals to proceed. It provides clearer direction on how officers should manage individuals who fail to comply with immigration conditions, expands tools for enforcing departure orders, and streamlines the framework used to make and review inadmissibility decisions involving security, criminality, or documentation concerns.

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.