As of March 26, 2026, Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act) received royal assent and is now law. The law changes Canada’s immigration system in four major ways. The federal government will be rolling out these changes in stages. It is starting with the implementation of two new eligibility requirements, retroactive to June 3, 2025.
A claim will not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) if it was made:
- More than one year after the claimant’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, regardless of whether the person has since left and returned.
- More than 14 days after the claimant’s entry into Canada between ports of entry along the Canada–United States land border.
These provisions will apply to all refugee claims made after June 2, 2025, including those that have already been sent to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) for a hearing date. Notices of ineligibility are being sent out to refugee claimants across the country.
There are two types of communication being sent out to refugee claimants:
- Procedural fairness letters are being sent out to individuals who are potentially ineligible based on the one-year bar. To preserve their right to future legal actions, it is advisable that these individuals respond to the letters.
- Notices of cancellation are being sent out to individuals who are ineligible due to irregular arrival along the land border. These individuals are not being given procedural fairness letters.
People with cancelled claims are being referred to Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) removal program, where they may be eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA).
For more information about Bill C-12, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) backgrounder or sign up to attend LAA’s workshop next month.
Notices are primarily being sent out via IRCC’s portal, and in limited cases by regular mail from CBSA. Therefore, it is important to encourage all refugee claimants with whom you may have contact to monitor their portal and regular mail for communication from immigration authorities. It is also essential that they keep their contact information with IRCC current and up to date.
Here is an online resource that helps refugee claimants determine whether Bill C-12 applies to them. It is a plain language tool created by the Migrant Rights Network in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers to explain the impact of this bill.
If you have any questions about Bill C-12 or our response, please send them to [email protected].