Canada Introduces Bill C-12 to Strengthen Border Security and Immigration System

Trade Update • Oct. 10, 2025

Key Points

• Bill C-12 expands Customs Act powers to inspect and detain goods for export and improves access for CBSA at ports and warehouses.

• The Oceans Act is amended to allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and intelligence operations for border security.

• It enhances RCMP’s ability to share information on registered sex offenders with domestic and international agencies.

• New measures protect the asylum system from sudden claim surges and improve how claims are received, processed, and decided.

• Authorities are empowered to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents and stop accepting new applications, with improved information sharing among IRCC and partners.

• Controls on precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs are accelerated, alongside stronger anti-money laundering enforcement and penalties under Canada’s regulatory framework.

On October 8, 2025, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, introduced Bill C-12: the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. This legislation aims to deliver comprehensive measures to combat transnational organized crime, illegal fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering while improving immigration system integrity.

The bill builds on elements from Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act). It enables Parliament to quickly pass these priority measures while allowing more time to review the proposals announced in June 2025 that include expanded enforcement powers and immigration controls.

Key Provisions

• Amend the Customs Act to secure borders against illicit drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and auto theft by obligating port operators to provide and maintain facilities for CBSA enforcement activities. CBSA gains access to the transporter and warehouse premises for inspections.
• Expand the Oceans Act to add security-related activities to coast guard services, enabling patrols and intelligence gathering.
• Enhance the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ability to share information on registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement.
• Protect the asylum system by introducing new ineligibility rules, improving how claims are received, processed, and decided.
• Strengthen authorities to cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents and stop accepting new applications. It improves client information sharing within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and with federal, provincial, and territorial partners.
• Accelerate control over precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs, allowing swift law enforcement action and ensuring strict federal oversight of legitimate uses.
• Strengthen Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime, including tougher penalties. Add the Director of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee (FISC) and enable enhanced exchange of supervisory information.

Complementary Measures in Bill C-2

• Bill C-2 facilitates law enforcement access to basic and subscriber information to target online criminals.
• Introduces the Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act, which obliges electronic service providers to maintain capabilities for lawful access while protecting against systemic vulnerabilities.
• Collaborates with Canada Post to stop fentanyl and other drugs from traveling through the mail system.
• Imposes new restrictions on third-party deposits and large cash transfers to disrupt organized crime and money laundering.
• Clarifies public-to-private information sharing provisions to strengthen crime prevention.

How It Affects Trade and Industry

• Exporters must ensure compliance with new CBSA access rules and may need to upgrade facilities to support inspections of export goods.
• Importers may experience indirect impacts from stricter controls on precursor chemicals, affecting sectors like pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
• Warehouse and logistics operators are required to grant CBSA access and maintain inspection-ready facilities, potentially facing operational disruptions or added costs.
• Customs brokers and trade consultants need to update clients on inspection protocols and advise on possible delays in export clearance.
• All traders will have to place greater emphasis on security compliance, data sharing, and risk management across supply chains.

Canada’s Border Plan

Through Canada’s Border Plan, the government has committed $1.3 billion to improve border security and immigration systems, which aims to protect communities on both sides of the border. Key investments include:

• $200 million for Public Safety Canada and the Communications Security Establishment Canada to boost intelligence efforts targeting organized crime and illegal fentanyl, supporting cooperation with law enforcement across Canada and the U.S.
• $743.5 million spread over five years, including $159.5 million annually, to strengthen the asylum system by increasing its capacity to process and decide claims more efficiently.

Anti-Money Laundering and Enforcement Capacity

The government is increasing resources and staff to strengthen anti-money laundering efforts and improve border enforcement:

• Over $379 million invested recently to enhance anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing measures, providing law enforcement with better tools and expanding regulatory oversight.
• Plans to hire more than 1,000 additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers to address drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other crimes.
• Hiring over 1,000 new Canada Border Services Agency personnel, including border officers, intelligence analysts, specialized chemists, plus training for detector dog teams to support border enforcement.

Minister’s Statement

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