Canada passes new law introducing stricter reforms to asylum eligibility 

Canada has passed Bill C-12, a new law which introduces rigorous reforms to asylum eligibility.

The new Bill will also expand data-sharing capabilities between government departments and will grant federal authorities new powers to manage immigration documents during emergencies.

Officially known as ‘Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act’, the legislation received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.

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Strict new deadlines for asylum seekers
The legislation establishes two primary barriers that fundamentally change who can access a full hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

Under the One-Year Rule, any asylum claim made more than 12 months after a person’s initial entry into Canada, specifically for those who arrived after June 24, 2020, will no longer be referred to the IRB.

Additionally, the 14-Day Rule stipulates that individuals entering Canada between official ports of entry along the Canada–US border must file a claim within a fortnight to remain eligible for a tribunal hearing.

Those who miss these deadlines will instead be channelled into the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) process. While the PRRA ensures individuals are not returned to face torture or persecution, legal experts note it offers fewer procedural protections than a traditional tribunal hearing.

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Modernising the system
Beyond eligibility, Bill C-12 authorises a comprehensive overhaul of how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) operates.

The IRB will now only adjudicate claims while the applicant is physically present in Canada, and removal orders will become effective immediately upon the withdrawal of a claim to help reduce the backlog of nearly 300,000 cases.

To support those in need, the IRCC will also appoint representatives to assist minors and individuals unable to navigate the legal process independently.

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Expanded data and document powers
The Act grants the IRCC broader authority to share personal information, including identity and immigration status, with provincial and territorial partners without seeking additional consent.

This is intended to improve efficiency, such as using permanent residency data to streamline citizenship applications. In addition, the government now possesses the “Mass Document Cancellation” authority, allowing for the suspension or cancellation of large groups of visas or permits in the interest of public health, safety, or national security, subject to Cabinet approval.

Implementation timeline
Several key provisions of the Act are already in effect.

Both the one-year asylum deadline and the 14-day irregular entry rule have been operational since June 3, 2025. With the granting of Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, the new information-sharing powers and document cancellation authorities became immediately available for use.

Meanwhile, broader regulatory amendments aimed at modernising the overall processing system are expected to be finalised in the coming months as pending regulations are reviewed.

The impact of these reforms will be felt most in Ontario and Quebec, which handles the vast majority of Canada’s asylum claims. While provincial leaders have generally supported measures to reduce backlogs, advocacy groups in major hubs like Toronto and Montreal have expressed concern over how these strict deadlines will affect vulnerable populations.

In Western and Atlantic Canada, officials are hopeful that a more streamlined asylum system will allow federal resources to focus more effectively on provincial nomination programs and the Atlantic Immigration Program.