OTTAWA \u2014 Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, is raising serious concerns about the federal government\u2019s 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\u2019s immigration and border enforcement laws, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, anti\u2013money 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\u2019s international obligations to refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a deeply worrying start to the Liberal government\u2019s legislative agenda,\u201d said May. \u201cBill 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cSur place\u201d refugees\u2014individuals whose need for protection arises only after they arrive in Canada\u2014from accessing protection and deny many their right to a full hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis bill effectively slams the door on people who followed the rules,\u201d said May. \u201cInternational students and other temporary residents who waited in good faith are now being told they\u2019ve lost their chance retroactively and without due process. It\u2019s unfair, and it may be unconstitutional.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May also criticized the bill\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSections dealing with refugee rights should be reviewed by the Immigration Committee with testimony from refugee lawyers,\u201d said May. \u201cSecurity 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s coastline also lacks adequate coverage and the ongoing problem of inadequate pay for experienced members of the Coast Guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf the government is serious about enforcement, it should invest accordingly,\u201d said May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n