Latest news with #OceansAct
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada's Strong Borders Act to combat organized crime, curb illegal fentanyl; what changes in immigration policy with Bill C-2
The Canadian government introduced Bill C-2 , known as the Strong Borders Act, on June 3, 2025. This legislation will give the government more power to protect Canada's sovereignty, strengthen its border, and reform the asylum system. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced that the bill seeks to provide law enforcement with additional tools to secure borders, combat transnational organized crime, and address the flow of illegal fentanyl and money laundering activities. Beyond immigration reforms, Bill C-2 aims to strengthen Canada's border security infrastructure. Provisions include amending the Oceans Act to expand the Canadian Coast Guard's services for enhanced sovereignty and maritime domain awareness, particularly in remote Arctic waters. Also Read: Is Calgary's tap water safe again? Why a controversial mineral is making a splash again Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. This expansion would enable the Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze, and share information and intelligence for security purposes. Live Events Key provisions of Bill C-2 The proposed legislation introduces some major changes to asylum eligibility: Time Limit on Asylum Claims : Foreign nationals who entered Canada after June 24, 2020, and file an asylum claim more than one year after their entry would be deemed ineligible for refugee protection. Irregular Border Crossings : Individuals crossing the Canada-U.S. land border outside official ports of entry would no longer benefit from the current 14-day grace period to file asylum claims. Such entries would render claimants automatically ineligible. Additionally, the bill grants the federal cabinet expanded powers to: Refuse specific immigration applications. Suspend or terminate application processing. Cancel or modify immigration documents. Impose new conditions on immigration status or travel permits. The legislation also broadens the authority to share personal information across government departments and increases the power to summon individuals for examination by immigration officials. Political context and reactions The introduction of Bill C-2 comes amid heightened political pressure to address border security and the increasing number of asylum claims in recent years. The government said that the bill is designed to protect the integrity of Canada's immigration system while ensuring public safety. Also Read: Will your mortgage get cheaper? Bank of Canada may cut interest rates soon However, opposition expresses concern that the bill's retroactive measures could violate international refugee obligations and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Human rights advocates argue that limiting claims based on time and entry methods could put genuine asylum seekers at risk. Bill C-2 will proceed through the legislative process, undergoing three readings in both the House of Commons and the Senate , followed by royal assent before becoming law. Given its retroactive provisions, the bill's impact could be immediate upon enactment.
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Carney government introduces bill to beef up border security
The Carney government has introduced an omnibus bill to combat cross-border organized crime, the flow of illegal fentanyl, money laundering and the backlog in refugee claims. The Strong Borders Act would amend the Customs Act and Oceans Act, as well other regulations, to enhance the power of border agents, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and immigration officials in tackling cross-border criminal activity. 'Our government made a commitment to keep our communities safe and work with our American partners to strengthen our border,' Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in a statement Tuesday. 'The Strong Borders Act will help us tackle organized crime, and further equip our border and law enforcement agencies with the authorities and resources they need to keep our border secure — for both American and Canadian communities.' Amid the trade war with the United States, the Liberals have been trying to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that Canada is doing its part to stop the flow of drugs and migrants. The new bill will expand on the $1.3 billion worth of measures introduced earlier this year under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. The earlier Canadian measures included enhanced, around-the-clock surveillance of the border using helicopters, drones and surveillance towers, which have resulted in some high-profile interceptions of illegal drugs and migrants at the border. Some new initiatives introduced on Tuesday include: If passed, the bill would also amend the Criminal Code and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to facilitate law enforcement's access to basic information and data, and amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to ensure CSIS's investigative tools also keep pace. The Canada Post Corporation Act will also be changed to remove barriers that prevent police from searching the mail to advance a criminal investigation and expand Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail. In addition, electronic service providers would have the capabilities to support law enforcement agencies and CSIS in criminal and intelligence investigations by compelling them to fulfil legally authorized requests to access or intercept information and communications.
