OTTAWA — Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, is raising serious concerns about the federal government’s first bill in this new 45th Parliament. Dubbed ‘The Strong Borders Act,’ Bill C-2 was introduced Tuesday as an omnibus bill combining legislative changes to more than a dozen existing laws. C-2 proposes sweeping changes to Canada’s immigration and border enforcement laws, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, anti–money laundering regulations, and legislation governing surveillance and intelligence gathering. May warns that without thorough study and extensive amendments, the bill risks trampling civil liberties and undermining Canada’s international obligations to refugees.
“This is a deeply worrying start to the Liberal government’s legislative agenda,” said May. “Bill C-2 includes unprecedented powers to freeze out people who yesterday would have had access to refugee protections and now find that access barred and the doors locked. These are not minor tweaks. These are serious shifts that threaten basic rights and fairness.”
Among the most concerning provisions are new restrictions that disqualify potential refugee claimants who have been in Canada for more than one year from seeking asylum, even if their circumstances have changed due to new threats or political upheaval in their country of origin. These changes would prevent “Sur place” refugees—individuals whose need for protection arises only after they arrive in Canada—from accessing protection and deny many their right to a full hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board.
“This bill effectively slams the door on people who followed the rules,” said May. “International students and other temporary residents who waited in good faith are now being told they’ve lost their chance retroactively and without due process. It’s unfair, and it may be unconstitutional.”
May also criticized the bill’s structure as an omnibus package combining unrelated reforms to immigration, policing, surveillance, and Coast Guard operations. She called for the legislation to be divided so that each component can be reviewed by the appropriate committee.
“Sections dealing with refugee rights should be reviewed by the Immigration Committee with testimony from refugee lawyers,” said May. “Security and surveillance provisions belong with the Justice Committee. Fisheries-related measures should go to the Fisheries and Oceans Committee. Anything less risks rubber-stamping complex and unrelated provisions without proper scrutiny.”
While the bill includes new authorities for the Canadian Coast Guard, such as enhanced domain awareness in Arctic waters, May warned that no new resources have been committed to support those responsibilities. She highlighted current shortages in patrol capacity, noting that a single vessel is responsible for the vast region between Cornwall, Ontario, and the Quebec-Maine border, and that British Columbia’s coastline also lacks adequate coverage and the ongoing problem of inadequate pay for experienced members of the Coast Guard.
“If the government is serious about enforcement, it should invest accordingly,” said May.
May is urging MPs from all parties to support splitting the Omnibus bill to allow for amendments that protect individual rights, uphold international law, and allow for proper legislative review.
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For more information or to arrange an interview :
Laurie MacMillan
Communications Director
Green Party of Canada