More than 300 civil society organizations, including CALDA, strongly oppose Bill C-2, which they consider a direct threat to the rights of refugees and migrants, as well as to the civil liberties and privacy of all Canadians. We join this coalition in calling for its immediate withdrawal.
A bill that concerns us all
The Liberal government recently introduced Bill C-2, also known as the Act to Ensure Rigorous Border Security. While the government justifies this bill as necessary to strengthen border security, combat organized crime, and counter the circulation of fentanyl, we at CALDA, along with hundreds of other organizations, see it as an unprecedented attack on fundamental rights.
This bill is far from a simple security measure. Rather, it is a tool that:
- Grants authorities new powers to search mail and access personal information.
- Simplifies police access to private data.
- Makes it easier to suspend or cancel immigration applications.
In summary, as Karen Cocq, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network, points out: “Bill C-2 is not a border bill. It is a power grab and an assault on fundamental human rights and civil liberties.”
The impact on asylum seekers and migrants
For us at CALDA, the main concern is the impact of this bill on the people we welcome and support. Bill C-2 contains provisions that would make life even harder for those in precarious situations. It would:
- Increase the government’s ability to suspend or stop accepting new immigration applications.
- Prevent someone living in Canada for more than a year from filing a refugee claim before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), even if their home country becomes dangerous.
- Eliminate the possibility for people crossing the Canada–U.S. border at official entry points to request a hearing before the IRB after 14 days.
The government argues that these measures aim to reduce processing times and backlogs, but we know, as does the Canadian Council for Refugees, that this bill would only shift the problem, creating a new backlog elsewhere, particularly at Immigration Canada and in Federal Court.
Our call to action
As members of the Local Welcome Committee for Asylum Seekers (CALDA), we join the many voices denouncing this bill. We are convinced that true security cannot be built at the expense of human dignity and rights.
We call on the government to withdraw Bill C-2. We will continue to advocate for a fair and just immigration and reception system for everyone. Respect for fundamental rights is not negotiable.
Stay tuned to learn more about ways to get involved. Together, we can make a difference.