Major changes to Canada’s asylum system were initiated by federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller in 2024. However, these changes were largely ignored by the Trudeau administration until recently.
Miller’s Asylum Proposals and Bill C-12
In a letter dated fall 2024, Marc Miller urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to restrict asylum claims. He proposed that individuals who had been in Canada for over a year should be barred from making refugee claims. This proposal aimed to be retroactive to June 25, 2020, a date that closely aligned with measures put forth by the Carney government’s border law.
Miller also advocated for limiting asylum claims to 14 days after crossing into Canada at irregular points of entry along the Canada-U.S. border. These proposals were eventually encapsulated in Bill C-12, which was passed last month.
Pressures on the Asylum System
Miller highlighted that Canada’s in-Canada asylum system had been under significant strain due to a surge in asylum seekers and ongoing resource constraints. He noted that the increasing number of claims resulted in prolonged processing times and uncertainty for migrants. In the letter, he characterized these adjustments as necessary for managing “asylum migration trends impacting Canada,” particularly in light of anticipated changes to U.S. immigration policies.
Support and Controversy of Bill C-12
Bill C-12 was not passed without its share of controversy. Initially proposed in late spring 2025, the bill faced opposition regarding its stringent security and immigration measures. After multiple revisions, it was split into two bills before re-emerging as Bill C-12. During its passage, the Senate scrutinized it closely and recommended several amendments, including the controversial one-year bar on claims. Ultimately, those amendments were discarded after government pushback.
Current Asylum Processing Trends
- The Canada Border Services Agency reports a rapid increase in deportations.
- Nearly 400 individuals, primarily refugee claimants, are being removed weekly, reflecting a pace not seen in a decade.
- As the Carney government continues to pursue a crackdown on immigration violations, concerns about legal challenges and stakeholder backlash grow.
Since the introduction of Bill C-12, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been notifying thousands of asylum claimants about their ineligibility for refugee status.
Looking Ahead
With the enforcement of these new asylum regulations, advocates and lawyers warn of potential escalation in deportations. As the situation evolves, the implications for asylum seekers in Canada remain a pressing concern.
