The Government of Canada has introduced the Strong Borders Act, a sweeping new bill designed to bolster national security, disrupt organized crime, and tighten immigration rules. Announced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, the legislation proposes major changes to how Canada enforces border laws, shares information, manages asylum claims, and handles emerging security threats such as illegal fentanyl imports and money laundering.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- Key changes in Canada’s Strong Borders Act
- How the Act will affect immigration and asylum
- New tools to fight transnational crime and drug trafficking
- Reforms targeting money laundering and financial crime
- Details of Canada’s $1.3 billion Border Plan
Strengthening Border Security
The Strong Borders Act expands the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) powers to search and detain goods, access commercial premises, and inspect exports at points of entry and exit. Owners and operators of key transport locations will now be required to provide and maintain facilities to support border enforcement operations.
The Act also updates the Oceans Act to allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct maritime security patrols and share intelligence with law enforcement. The RCMP will be allowed to more easily share information about sex offenders with domestic and international partners.
Making Immigration and Asylum Stricter
The Act introduces new tools to manage Canada’s immigration and asylum systems. These include:
- New ineligibility rules to manage surges in asylum claims
- Expanded authority to suspend or cancel immigration documents and new applications
- Improved processes for claim intake, assessment, and decision-making
- Enhanced data-sharing capabilities between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial or federal partners
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the new rules are aimed at protecting the integrity of Canada’s system and ensuring it can adapt to global migration pressures.
Combating Organised Crime and Illegal Drugs
The bill aims to crack down on transnational crime by:
- Enabling faster control of precursor chemicals used to produce illicit fentanyl
- Updating the Criminal Code and other laws to give police and intelligence services better access to necessary data
- Requiring service providers to comply with legally authorised requests for information
- Removing barriers preventing police from inspecting mail under the Canada Post Corporation Act
Minister of Health Marjorie Michel emphasised that these changes will help reduce overdose deaths and protect public health.
Fighting Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The Strong Borders Act includes several reforms to tackle illicit financial activity:
- Stronger penalties for money laundering
- New rules targeting cash transactions and third-party deposits
- Enhanced collaboration through FINTRAC and Canada’s Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee
- Better public-to-private information sharing to identify suspicious activity
Minister François-Philippe Champagne called the reforms a critical step in shutting down illegal financial flows.
Major Investments in Border Protection
As part of its broader Border Plan, Canada is investing $1.3 billion in new security infrastructure and staffing. This includes:
- $743.5 million over five years to strengthen the asylum system
- $379 million for anti-money laundering reforms
- 1,000 new RCMP officers and over 1,000 additional CBSA staff, including intelligence analysts and canine units
Public Safety Canada says these actions will better equip frontline workers to address modern threats while maintaining privacy and Charter rights.
FAQ
What is the Strong Borders Act?
The Strong Borders Act is a new Canadian bill that gives law enforcement and border agencies stronger powers to stop illegal drugs, disrupt crime, and tighten immigration controls.
How does the Act change Canada’s immigration system?
It introduces new ineligibility rules, improves processing of asylum claims, and gives Immigration Canada more power to cancel or suspend immigration documents and applications.
What new powers does CBSA get under this Act?
CBSA will be allowed to search goods more easily at borders, access storage facilities for inspections, and conduct broader checks to prevent illegal exports and imports.
How will the law fight illegal fentanyl?
The Act enables faster control of chemicals used to make fentanyl and forces postal services and internet providers to comply with information requests during criminal investigations.
What is included in Canada’s Border Plan?
The Border Plan includes $1.3 billion in investments, more than 2,000 new hires at CBSA and RCMP, expanded detector dog teams, and improved intelligence sharing across agencies.
