Concerns Mount Over Bill C-12 as Advocates Warn of Major Risks to Refugee Protections

Canada is preparing for a crucial vote on Bill C-12, and rights groups across the country are voicing serious concerns about what the proposed legislation could mean for people seeking safety. As the debate intensifies, many organisations fear the bill could reshape Canada’s long-standing asylum system in ways that weaken core safeguards and expose vulnerable individuals to harmful outcomes.

A Growing Alarm Over Bill C-12’s Potential Impact

In the first few days of public reaction, rights advocates, legal experts, community groups, and front-line refugee organisations have issued urgent warnings about Bill C-12, arguing that the proposed changes could introduce harsher timelines, fewer protections, and sweeping new powers for government officials. These groups say the bill risks narrowing access to fair hearings, limiting appeal rights, and shifting many claimants into procedures that offer fewer safeguards than the current system.

They also stress that the bill is advancing quickly, with minimal consultation, despite having major implications for the people most affected.

New Rules Could Restrict Access to Refugee Protections

How Bill C-12 Reshapes the Process

One of the most worrying features of the proposed legislation is the introduction of strict one-year deadlines for asylum applications. Advocates warn this timeline is unrealistic for individuals fleeing conflict, gender-based violence, political persecution, or situations where gathering documents is nearly impossible.

Community organisations say these tight limits could prevent legitimate refugees from presenting full evidence, ultimately increasing the risk of incorrect decisions. Many could be denied access to the Immigration and Refugee Board’s full hearing and appeal processes, funnelling them instead into risk-assessment pathways with far fewer procedural protections.

Stakeholders also warn that shifting claimants into narrower processes may strain the Federal Court system and delay justice further.

Broad New Government Powers Raise Red Flags

Several rights groups highlight that the bill grants the government expanded discretion to suspend or cancel immigration status based on a vague “public interest” standard. Without clear definitions or strong oversight, organisations fear this power could lead to arbitrary or discriminatory decisions.

Another major point of concern is the proposal to allow broader sharing of sensitive personal data. This includes details about gender identity and refugee claim status information that, if mishandled, could put individuals at significant risk both in Canada and abroad.

Privacy experts caution that the bill lacks meaningful safeguards such as proportionality requirements or limits on when information can be shared.

Risk of Harm for Refugees Already Facing Vulnerability

Advocates also warn that Bill C-12 could worsen the impact of the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, which already prevents many refugees from having their claims heard in Canada. With new restrictions layered on top, organisations fear that more people could be pushed back into systems where human rights violations are well-documented.

Groups representing Black, queer, and gender-diverse refugees say the bill will disproportionately harm the communities already facing barriers within the immigration system.

Voices Excluded from the Debate

One of the strongest criticisms of the bill is the speed at which it is moving. Many refugee-support organizations, migrant rights groups, health advocates, and legal professionals sought to speak before the parliamentary committee, but were denied a chance to testify. Meanwhile, policing and border agencies were well represented in the hearings.

Advocates argue that excluding lived-experience perspectives prevents lawmakers from fully understanding the consequences the bill could create.

A Cross-Country Call for Pause and Review

Rights organizations now urge Members of Parliament to slow the process and reconsider the proposal. They call for broad consultation with affected communities, stronger safeguards, and a renewed commitment to fairness and due process. Many believe that rushing ahead without careful analysis could create long-term harms that are difficult to reverse.

Ensuring Canada’s System Reflects Its Values

As the vote approaches, the debate around Bill C-12 highlights a critical moment for Canada’s asylum framework. The concerns raised make it clear that any reform to the Canada refugee system must prioritize fairness, safety, and human dignity. Lawmakers face a pivotal decision: whether to adopt a bill that many say risks eroding key refugee protections, or to take a step back and ensure the process reflects the values Canada is known for.