Understanding the Strong Borders Act (Bill C-2)

In June 2025, the Government of Canada introduced legislation to help disrupt increasingly complex criminal groups and improve our immigration system. The Strong Borders Act would make legislative changes while protecting privacy and rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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About the Strong Borders Act

The Strong Borders Act is designed to keep people in Canada safe. It would make sure law enforcement has the right tools to:

The act would strengthen our security by proposing changes to laws that support:

Border security and immigration

Many of our laws related to managing our borders and immigration systems need to be updated to continue to address increasing and more complex security challenges.

The Strong Borders Act would give border, immigration and law enforcement agencies modernized powers to be more effective now and in the future.

Export inspections

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officers have the power to inspect goods for export, but they may not be able to access the goods at certain locations.

The act would:

Maritime security

Canada's coasts face evolving security risks. To respond effectively, departments and agencies must work together to strengthen maritime security.

The act would:

Expanded information sharing

Border security requires a coordinated effort across all of entire government, as information from various federal institutions may be required to thoroughly access the situation.

Federal departments and agencies need to work together to share information to understand and respond to demands, and to keep people safe.

The act would:

Any new use or disclosure of personal information under these new authorities would follow existing privacy laws, policies and best practices.

Improve asylum claim processing

Canada's asylum system exists to protect people who are fleeing persecution, violence, or risks to their life or safety in their home country. The Strong Borders Act would improve how we receive, process and decide on asylum claims to make the system faster and easier to navigate.

The act would:

These measures are designed to make the asylum process faster and more efficient so that claims are processed more effectively while Canada continues to help those in need of protection.

New ineligibility rules for asylum claimants

Our asylum system is meant to protect people who can prove that they have a well-founded fear of persecution or face a risk of serious harm, such as torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Our asylum system is not a shortcut to regular immigration pathways.

Claims are first assessed for eligibility to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). If eligible, each claim is assessed by the IRB based on the evidence and arguments presented, and in line with Canadian laws.

The Act proposes two measures to protect the asylum system against sudden increases in claims. It would alleviate current burdens on the system and deter people from using the asylum system to bypass regular immigration rules (including the Safe Third Country Agreement) or to extend their temporary stay in Canada

People who are affected by the proposed ineligibility provisions may still apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). A PRRA takes into account each claimant's situation and can also result in refugee protection being granted. This prevents people from being returned to a country where they face risks like persecution, torture or other harm.

Authorities to strengthen control over immigration documents and applications

The Government of Canada must be able to respond to crises and unexpected events that could undermine the integrity of Canada's immigration system and the safety of Canadians. To improve our ability to respond, the act would:

Fighting international organized crime

The greatest threats to our border continue to be international organized crime networks. They try to take advantage of areas along the border to smuggle people or illegal goods.

Law and border enforcement must keep pace with these modern criminal threats and prepare for future challenges.

The Strong Borders Act would modernize legal authorities for border and law enforcement agencies so they can respond to current and emerging challenges more effectively.

Disrupt illegal drug production

While Canada strictly controls synthetic opioids and the precursor chemicals used to produce them, the illegal drug market is constantly evolving in an attempt to evade these controls.

The act would:

Timely access to basic information and data

Changing digital technologies create challenges for investigators in accessing the basic information and data they need to investigate crime and threats to national security.

The act would:

Access or intercept information and communications

New and evolving technologies allow criminal organizations to work across borders and online.

The act would:

Search of Canada Post mail

Fentanyl and other illegal substances can be easily transported by criminals through the mail. Right now, police officers are not allowed to search and seize Canada Post mail as part of an investigation, even when police have sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant to seize the mail in the context of investigating a crime.

The act would:

Disrupting illicit financing

Financial crimes are not victimless. Money laundering supports and perpetuates crimes such as human trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and other illicit drug trafficking, as well as fraud, theft, and other economic crimes. Terrorist financing wreaks havoc on communities at home and around the world.

To disrupt illicit finance and combat transnational organized crime, new tools are needed to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal threats and techniques.

Anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing: Supervision, compliance, and enforcement

Businesses with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) obligations are on the front lines of the fight against financial crimes. These obligations, such as reporting suspicious transactions, are designed to detect and deter financial crimes.

The act would:

Restrictions on certain cash transactions

Criminals use cash to integrate illicit funds into the financial system and purchase luxury and high-value goods as an asset or for personal consumption. They also avoid client identification requirements by using 'money mules' to deposit cash in multiple accounts at numerous financial institutions.

The act would:

Sharing Information

Information sharing is internationally recognized as a best practice for an effective anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime.

The act would:

Supervisory collaboration

Coordination among federal agencies with financial sector responsibilities supports high standards of regulatory compliance by federally regulated financial institutions.

The act would:

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2025-10-09