Latest news with #StrongBordersAct
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Canada's population growth slows as immigration rules tighten
Live Events Cut international student permits by 35% starting September 2024 Set further 10% decrease in student permits for 2025 Require language tests for post-graduation work permits (CLB 7 for university grads, CLB 5 for college grads) Limit post-graduation work permits to in-demand fields only End work-permit eligibility for spouses of bachelor's and college students — keep it only for spouses of master's, PhD students, and select high-skilled workers Cap number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs and reduce their maximum stays Implement a 'Strong Borders Act' tightening asylum rules — stricter eligibility, faster removals, stronger border controls Aim to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2026, with declining target numbers for 2025–2027 Align permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, then gradually reduce Increase intelligence-sharing and cooperation with U.S. border enforcement Address public concern over rapid post-pandemic population growth and pressure on housing and public services Canada's population barely grew in the first quarter of this year as tighter immigration policies slowed the number of new arrivals, Statistics Canada data showed. The country added just 20,107 people, a near-zero percentage increase, compared with an average quarterly rise of 0.3% over the past the pandemic period, this was Canada's weakest quarterly growth rate since comparable records began in 1946. Population increases had previously been fuelled by a surge in temporary residents — especially foreign students — following the Minister Mark Carney, who has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable levels,' welcomed the data. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, began curbing new arrivals last year after rapid growth strained the country's housing, healthcare, and other public residents fell to about 3 million, or 7.1% of the population, down from a peak of 7.4% last year. Foreign students saw the biggest drop, with Ontario and British Columbia recording their steepest quarterly population declines since 1951.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)At the same time, asylum claims continued to rise for the 13th consecutive quarter, reaching a record 470,029 people. Carney's government introduced a bill to tighten asylum rules and is already restricting the number of international students and foreign workers. Legislators will debate the new law on immigration plan seeks to hold overall population growth flat before returning to more typical rates. Even with these measures, migration accounted for all net growth last quarter as deaths outnumbered births by 5, government must now balance its goals. 'We want to attract the best talent in the world to help build our economy,' Carney said after winning his April election. But as public support for immigration declines, officials face increasing pressure to ensure future arrivals match the country's capacity and economic needs. Canada has introduced a series of tightened immigration measures in 2024–2025. These include caps on international student and temporary worker permits, tougher spouse‑permit rules, language requirements, and new asylum restrictions under the 'Strong Borders Act.' The goal: reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population, ease pressure on housing and services, and preserve system integrity.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Canada's population growth slows as immigration rules tighten
Canada's population barely grew in the first quarter of this year as tighter immigration policies slowed the number of new arrivals, Statistics Canada data showed. The country added just 20,107 people, a near-zero percentage increase, compared with an average quarterly rise of 0.3% over the past decade. Excluding the pandemic period, this was Canada's weakest quarterly growth rate since comparable records began in 1946. Population increases had previously been fuelled by a surge in temporary residents — especially foreign students — following the pandemic. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable levels,' welcomed the data. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, began curbing new arrivals last year after rapid growth strained the country's housing, healthcare, and other public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 23.7% Returns in last 5 years with Shriram Life's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo Temporary residents fell to about 3 million, or 7.1% of the population, down from a peak of 7.4% last year. Foreign students saw the biggest drop, with Ontario and British Columbia recording their steepest quarterly population declines since 1951. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) At the same time, asylum claims continued to rise for the 13th consecutive quarter, reaching a record 470,029 people. Carney's government introduced a bill to tighten asylum rules and is already restricting the number of international students and foreign workers. Legislators will debate the new law on Wednesday. Live Events The immigration plan seeks to hold overall population growth flat before returning to more typical rates. Even with these measures, migration accounted for all net growth last quarter as deaths outnumbered births by 5,600. The government must now balance its goals. 'We want to attract the best talent in the world to help build our economy,' Carney said after winning his April election. But as public support for immigration declines, officials face increasing pressure to ensure future arrivals match the country's capacity and economic needs. Inside Canada's plans to curb immigration Canada has introduced a series of tightened immigration measures in 2024–2025. These include caps on international student and temporary worker permits, tougher spouse‑permit rules, language requirements, and new asylum restrictions under the 'Strong Borders Act.' The goal: reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population, ease pressure on housing and services, and preserve system integrity. What Canada wants Cut international student permits by 35% starting September 2024 Set further 10% decrease in student permits for 2025 Require language tests for post-graduation work permits (CLB 7 for university grads, CLB 5 for college grads) Limit post-graduation work permits to in-demand fields only End work-permit eligibility for spouses of bachelor's and college students — keep it only for spouses of master's, PhD students, and select high-skilled workers Cap number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs and reduce their maximum stays Implement a 'Strong Borders Act' tightening asylum rules — stricter eligibility, faster removals, stronger border controls Aim to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2026, with declining target numbers for 2025–2027 Align permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, then gradually reduce Increase intelligence-sharing and cooperation with U.S. border enforcement Address public concern over rapid post-pandemic population growth and pressure on housing and public services
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Over 300 Organizations Unite To Demand Complete Withdrawal Of Bill C-2
18 June 2025 In an unprecedented show of unity, over 300 civil society organizations from across the country are on Parliament Hill today demanding the complete withdrawal of Bill C-2, the so-called "Strong Borders Act" as it enters into second reading. Four major coalitions representing a broad cross section of refugee rights, civil liberties, gender justice, and migrant advocacy have joined forces to oppose this assault on human rights and civil liberties. The four coalitions held a joint press conference today to present their unified opposition to this sweeping legislation, which represents a further, dangerous shift toward Trump-style anti-immigrant policies and attacks on the rights and freedoms of all residents. "Bill C-2 is the expansion of a deportation machine that will put hundreds of thousands of people at risk. With 1.2 million people already unable to renew their permits this year due to recent immigration cuts, this bill's sweeping new powers to cancel immigration status without individual evaluation will force more people into conditions of abuse, exploitation and even death,' says Karen Cocq, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network. 'Prime Minister Carney was elected on a promise of standing up to Trump but his very first bill is the same scapegoating of migrants and refugees that we've witnessed south of the border." Bill C-2 allows for unprecedented expansion of surveillance powers. Tim McSorley, National Coordinator of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, warned: "Bill C-2 would undermine more than a decade of Canadian privacy-related jurisprudence to enable a massive expansion of domestic surveillance. Without a warrant, police and spy agencies could demand information about our online activities based on the low threshold of 'reasonable suspicion.' This shockingly broad system is ripe for abuse and appears deliberately designed to prepare Canada for controversial data-sharing obligations with the United States and other countries." Matt Hatfield, Executive Director of OpenMedia, said: 'Bill C-2 is anti-privacy, anti-rights, and anti-Canadian. It solves border problems that don't exist; and breaks rights that do. Canadian voters want our government to keep its elbows up to defend our privacy and freedoms, and that requires a full withdrawal of Bill C-2 now.' 'Bill C-2 reflects a wholesale shift in how Canada responds to refugees seeking our protection, including enabling their deportation back to danger without even a hearing,' said Gauri Sreenivasan, Co-Executive Director of the Canadian Council for Refugees. 'It is a shocking abandonment of rights protected under our Charter and International law, providing none of the fairness and due process that Canadians fully expect from our government in immigration matters. In many respects it sinks lower than US policy. The Bill must be withdrawn '. Organizations working with survivors of gender-based violence have raised particular alarm about the bill's impact on vulnerable populations. Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director and Lawyer of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic agrees, adding "Bill C-2 is a policy misstep—it is an attack on the rights and safety of survivors of gender-based violence. It ignores the lived realities of those fleeing abuse and trauma, and risks turning Canada's borders into instruments of harm. We must uphold our commitments to human rights and ensure that no one is denied protection because of how or when they arrive." Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy at Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights, stated: "Survivors fleeing gender-based violence abroad are learning about legal processes while living with profound trauma, often under the control of abusive partners who restrict their access to information and support. Imposing strict time limits on these most marginalized refugees ignores Canada's commitments to gender equity and safety. Denying survivors access to protection based on how or when they arrived in Canada is not only unjust—it is dangerous." Four statements denouncing Bill C-2 from a broad cross-section of civil society The four coalition statements demonstrate the breadth of opposition to Bill C-2: "Withdraw Bill C-2" - Initiated by the Migrant Rights Network, Canadian Council for Refugees and International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, with endorsements from 176 organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress; Canada's national housing rights organization - National Right to Housing Network; Canada's largest Climate coalition - Climate Action Network Canada; as well as The United Church of Canada, Oxfam Canada, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and others. "Joint Call for the Withdrawal of Bill C-2" - Led by OpenMedia and signed by 39 prominent organizations including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and Canadian Anti-Hate Network, plus 122 individual legal experts and academics. This statement focuses on the bill's degradation of privacy rights and its preparation for controversial data-sharing with foreign governments. "Open Letter: Canada puts refugee claimants at risk with Bill C-2" - Initiated by OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants) and endorsed by 71 refugee and settlement organizations, as well as the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and YWCA branches nationwide. The letter details how the bill violates international refugee law and puts vulnerable claimants at grave risk. "Statement: Bill C-2 Risks Undermining Canada's Commitments to Gender-Based Violence Survivors" - Supported by 48 organizations including the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Canadian Women's Foundation, Women's Shelters Canada, and YWCA Canada. This statement highlights the disproportionate and dangerous impact Bill C-2 would have on survivors of gender-based violence who face additional barriers while dealing with trauma. Notes: What Bill C-2 Would Do Impact on ALL Canadians: Mass Surveillance Without Warrants: Police and CSIS can demand to know whether you have an online account with any organization or service in Canada, along with information like how long you've had it for or where you've logged in from, with no warrant required. A lower bar for more data: Law enforcement with a warrant can demand production of your online data, unencrypted emails, and browsing history from any company based only on "reasonable suspicion"— not the current standard of reasonable belief. Forced Corporate Spying: Companies must keep records of your personal data under secret government orders, with blanket immunity for privacy violations for handing over more than they should. Foreign Access to Your Data: Bill C-2 makes necessary changes to prepare Canada to endorse the US CLOUD Act and additional protocols of the Budapest Cybercrime Convention. These treaties would allow US authorities and other foreign governments to make similar data requests to Canadian entities, undermining Canada's constitutional protections and data sovereignty. Inadequate Legal Recourse: Only five days are allowed to challenge secret surveillance orders, with blanket civil immunity for companies that comply, ensuring even excessive orders go unchallenged. Refugee and Immigration Measures: One-Year Refugee Deadline: Bill C-2 blocks anyone who has been in Canada more than one year from seeking refugee status—even if their home country becomes dangerous after arrival. This applies retroactively to everyone since June 2020, and is fundamentally inconsistent with international humanitarian law. Eliminates US Border Exception: Previously, those crossing from the US between official ports could apply for refugee status after 14 days. Bill C-2 removes this completely, trapping vulnerable people under Trump's xenophobic policies. Mass Deportation Powers: The Immigration Minister gains authority to cancel permits for entire groups without due process—including revoking permanent residency applications and cards already submitted. Migrants could lose status overnight with no legal recourse. Privacy Protections Removed: The bill allows unrestricted information sharing about migrants across all government levels. Undocumented workers asserting labour rights could face deportation when employers report them to border enforcement.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Nelson: Elbows down, Canada, as Trump and Carney make nice over tariffs
Tuck those elbows in Canada. We're pals again with Donald Trump's America. Article content Yes, we can once more spend Januarys in Orlando or Phoenix without feeling guilty. We can even drink Budweiser beer. And next NHL season, there'll be no booing the Star Spangled Banner before games. Because, speaking of games, the Liberals have played an absolute gem. Article content Article content Before election night, new boss Mark Carney wrapped himself so tightly in the Maple Leaf it's a wonder he had the breath to thank voters for returning the Grits to power, a victory that looked next to impossible a few months earlier. Article content Article content Back then, Trump was busy insulting outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau, calling him the governor of Canada and talking about making this country a 51st state. Article content Article content We were not amused, especially when our biggest trading partner also announced a series of tariffs. Article content Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was cast as a mini-me Trump, given his earlier hard-edged attacks on the failing Trudeau. That — along with the collapse of the NDP vote thanks to the stunningly inept performance of its then-leader Jagmeet Singh — led the Liberals to a remarkable turnaround victory. Article content But that was then, this is now. The votes are counted and the pretence we're turning our backs on our somewhat rude southern neighbours can be ditched. It worked a treat. Article content And as we saw during the U.S. president's brief appearance at this week's Kananaskis G7 summit, there's been a Chinook-sized thaw in Carney's Captain Canada routine regarding Trump and the U.S. Article content Article content All that guff about Canada forging a different path was ditched. Instead, Carney promised to work hand in hand with Trump, after gushing it was such a great honour welcoming him to Alberta. Article content Article content 'This marks the 50th birthday of the G7, and the G7 is nothing without U.S. leadership,' said Carney, before praising Trump's personal leadership on issues such as geopolitics, the economy and technology. Remarkably, our prime minister didn't even blush. Article content Of course, those paying attention understood Canada was already bending its knee before the Kananaskis meeting. Article content First up was the Strong Borders Act, a proposed bill to crack down on drugs and weapons crossing the border, while toughening up immigration checks, areas Trump had repeatedly accused Canada of ignoring. Article content That was followed by Carney's announcement that we'd increase defence spending to hit the magic two per cent of GDP mark, not in five years but in nine months. This, too, follows U.S. condemnation of our previously paltry contribution.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Canada's Strong Borders Act: Tough new rules to hit visa holders, migrants
Canada on Wednesday released details of its proposed Strong Borders Act, a Bill that could reshape how the country handles temporary residents and asylum seekers. The legislation, if passed, would allow authorities to suspend or cancel immigration documents, introduce stricter rules on asylum eligibility, and improve information-sharing across government. The proposed changes are expected to affect a wide range of immigrants, including Indian nationals, who continue to represent a large share of Canada's temporary and permanent migration flows. As of January 1, 2025, Canada had around 3.02 million temporary residents—students, workers and others—accounting for 7.3% of the country's total population. India remains the top source of new permanent residents, and Indian nationals are also a notable presence among asylum seekers. Total asylum claims had reached a record high of 470,029 by April 1, 2025. What is the Strong Borders Act? Introduced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on June 3, 2025, the Strong Borders Act is intended to address growing concerns over irregular border crossings, asylum backlogs and fraud within the immigration system. The Bill is structured around four key pillars: 1. Control over immigration documents 2. Domestic information sharing 3. Streamlined asylum claim processing 4. Protection of asylum system integrity Control over immigration documents The Bill proposes to give the Canadian government broad powers to cancel, suspend or modify immigration documents, such as visas, eTAs, and permits. These actions would be allowed when deemed to be in the "public interest". Examples of "public interest" include: Responding to national emergencies or health risks Preventing fraud in immigration programmes Addressing large-scale misuse of public services The decision to use these powers would lie with the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on Cabinet advice). Changes to immigration documents would not automatically affect someone's status under existing laws. Streamlining information sharing To reduce duplication and administrative delays, the Act proposes easier data-sharing between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial or territorial partners. This would: • Allow direct transfer of applicant data • Enforce clear privacy rules and legal safeguards • Ban provincial governments from sharing this data internationally unless authorised Information-sharing agreements will include boundaries on how the data may be used. Reforming asylum processing The Act introduces several changes to speed up and simplify asylum decisions: • All asylum claims will follow a standardised process, whether made at the border or inland • Online systems will support claim submissions • Only individuals physically present in Canada may have their claims assessed • Inactive or withdrawn claims may be cleared out quickly • Children and vulnerable claimants will receive support through designated representatives IRB referrals will happen faster, and those choosing to leave will face quicker removals. New rules on asylum claim eligibility Two new conditions would limit when claims can be referred to the IRB: • Asylum seekers must apply within one year of entering Canada (post-June 24, 2020) • Irregular entrants must apply within 14 days of crossing into Canada Claims made after these timeframes would be ineligible but claimants may still file for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). Impact on Indian nationals While there is no specific breakdown by nationality for 2025, Indian nationals are known to be a major segment among temporary residents, especially students and workers. The new rules may bring: • Tighter scrutiny on visa extensions and new applications • Stricter timelines for those considering asylum claims • Changes to how their data is shared between governments The Bill awaits parliamentary approval. Once passed, asylum ineligibility rules would apply to all claims filed on or after June 3, 2025. Officials say implementation will involve close coordination with provinces and regular assessments to track the impact of the reforms. 'Asylum decisions should be timely and fair, and the system must have integrity,' said Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety. The government has said it will monitor the rollout to ensure vulnerable individuals are not left behind as the system changes.
