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Emigration and immigration

Comprehensive Border Protection Bill C-2 Introduced in Canada

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, was introduced in the House of Commons on June 3, 2025, aiming to modernize and strengthen Canada's national security measures, border enforcement, immigration controls, and financial oversight. The Bill proposes sweeping reforms through amendments to 14 pieces of legislation and introduces a new act, the Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act (SAAIA). The proposed measures aim to combat organized crime, disrupt the flow of illegal drugs, improve immigration processes, and enhance Canada's maritime and border integrity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bill proposes amendments to the Oceans Act to expand Canadian Coast Guard services relating to security activities, including security patrols and intelligence collection in remote Arctic waters.
  • The amendments would enhance the ability of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to share information on registered sex offenders, including sharing data with domestic and international partners.
  • Bill C-2 would authorize Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to share client information with federal, provincial, and territorial partners, and to make it easier for IRCC to share information internally across its various programs.
  • The Bill aims to improve the asylum system by simplifying the online application process, creating a unified process for asylum claims, and referring completed claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for expedited decisions.
  • Individuals who have been in Canada for more than one year after June 24, 2020, without previously filing a claim, would be ineligible for asylum.
  • Those who enter Canada from the United States and submit an asylum claim more than 14 days after entry would also be rendered ineligible.
  • The Bill proposes to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create a new accelerated scheduling pathway for precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs.
  • The government aims to facilitate law enforcement's access to information and data, support public-private collaboration against money laundering, and enhance financial oversight.

Statistics:

  • The Bill proposes to raise the maximum penalty amount for a single prescribed violation under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) from $100,000 to $4,000,000 for individuals and from $500,000 to $20,000,000 for entities.
  • The cumulative maximum penalty for all prescribed violations under the PCMLTFA would be the greater of $4 million or 3% of global income for individuals, and the greater of $20 million or 3% of global revenue for entities.
  • All notices of violation issued by FINTRAC would need to be accompanied by a compliance order.
  • The Bill aims to obligate owners and operators of certain ports of entry or exit to provide facilities for export inspections by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.

Sources:

  • Government of Canada, Bill C-2, Strong Borders Act
  • Gowling WLG, "Canada introduces Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act"
  • Mondaq Ltd, "Canada: New Bill To Combat Organized Crime And Illicit Financing"
  • Read the original article on GowlingWLG.com
  • The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
  • Alana Scotchmer Gowling WLG Suite 1600, 1 First Canadian Place 100 King Street West Toronto Ontario M5X 1G5 CANADA E-mail: james.hatch@gowlingwlg.com URL: www.gowlingwlg.com

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