The Government of Canada has released a detailed backgrounder on the Strong Borders Act, outlining proposed legislative changes aimed at strengthening border security, combating transnational crime, and modernizing immigration and asylum systems. A significant portion of the Bill focuses on improving the asylum claim system, with measures designed to increase efficiency, fairness, and integrity. Key proposed changes include:
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Simplifying the online application process and aligning procedures for claims made at ports of entry and inland IRCC offices.
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Faster referrals of complete claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) to speed up decisions.
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Ensuring claims are only decided while the claimant is physically present in Canada.
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Removing inactive cases to streamline the system.
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Making removal orders effective immediately when a claim is withdrawn, to accelerate voluntary departures.
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Assigning representatives for vulnerable claimants, including minors and individuals who need support navigating the process.
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Introducing new ineligibility rules for claims:
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Claims made more than one year after arrival in Canada (after June 24, 2020) would not be referred to the IRB.
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Claims made at irregular land border crossings from the U.S. after 14 days would also be ineligible.
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Affected individuals may still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) if facing potential harm upon return.
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These changes aim to modernize Canada’s asylum system while maintaining fairness and protecting vulnerable individuals. For full details, the complete backgrounder is available on the Government of Canada’s website.
