20 Nov POM: Managing Migration in Today’s Context: Will Canada’s New Approach to Immigration Prompt a Global Change?

Valeria Xu Fernández Álvarez
International Policy Review – Policy of the Month

Migration, human rights, and security have become some of the most relevant and disputed issues in the global arena. Public policy around the world aims to find a balance between humanitarian commitment and safety while reinforcing border control. Canada, one of the leaders in multiculturalism and migration, is dealing with many of these issues. From fentanyl trafficking networks to illegal border crossings, Canadians’ screams for reform are growing louder. 

In response, the Canadian Government proposed Bill C-12: An Act to Strengthen Canada’s Immigration System and Border. The new legislation, currently pending, was introduced on October 8th, 2025, and supported by Public Safety Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Bill C-12 seeks to improve law enforcement, modernize bureaucratic processes, and combat organized crime, while fulfilling the country’s humanitarian obligations under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the 1951 Refugee Convention.   

However, this policy has faced intense criticism as Canada’s welcoming image collides with the preoccupation for national security and surveillance. Some civil liberty groups believe that the enforcement of Bill C-12 may exclude asylum seekers. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), Amnesty International Canada, and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) are among the organisations keeping a close eye on the bill’s evolution. 

This article will explore the social implications, motivations, and potential outcomes of the bill. Assesing whether it can protect society while upholding individual rights and humanitarian obligations, which are at the core of the country’s ethos.

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