Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week.

The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with migrants say such measures risk shutting out individuals who may only feel safe to apply after they have settled and found legal or community support.

Calgary Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, her party’s immigration critic, has signalled she will seek amendments to further tighten eligibility. She said last week that one proposed change would block refugee claims from individuals arriving through European Union or G7 countries.

The Migrant Rights Network, which represents community organizations across the country, says the bill and the suggested amendments raise serious constitutional concerns. Spokesperson Karen Cocq argues that limiting who can initiate an asylum claim could put Canada at odds with international refugee obligations. She added that several advocacy groups attempted to appear before the committee studying the bill but were not added to the witness list.