Bill C-2 Could Redefine Who Qualifies for Asylum in Canada
On June 3, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-2, a proposed law that may significantly restrict who can apply for asylum in Canada. If passed, this bill will impact foreign nationals who:
- Entered Canada after June 24, 2020, and submitted a refugee claim more than one year after entry.
- Crossed into Canada irregularly at the Canada–U.S. land border, outside official ports of entry.
Under current rules, refugee claimants who crossed irregularly from the U.S. are eligible if they wait at least 14 days before filing. Bill C-2 seeks to change that by introducing retroactive ineligibility for many who filed after the bill was introduced.
In addition, the proposed legislation would grant the Governor in Council broad powers to:
- Suspend or cancel immigration applications,
- Modify or revoke immigration documents,
- And increase the disclosure of personal information to other government agencies.
The bill is currently at its first reading in Parliament and must go through several more stages, including approval by both the House of Commons and the Senate, before it can become law.
📌 Stay informed: These changes could have a major impact on refugee protection and border policies in Canada.
