The federal government has introduced sweeping new legislation aimed at tightening Canada’s borders and boosting public safety through stronger enforcement measures and updated laws.
On Tuesday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree tabled Bill C-XX, known as the Strong Borders Act, a wide-reaching proposal to crack down on transnational crime, stem the flow of illegal fentanyl, strengthen Canada’s immigration system and improve national security oversight.
“Our government made a commitment to keep our communities safe and work with our American partners to strengthen our border,” Anandasangaree said. “The Strong Borders Act will help us tackle organized crime, and further equip our border and law enforcement agencies with the authorities and resources they need to keep our border secure – for both American and Canadian communities.”
The legislation includes amendments to the Customs Act that would give the Canada Border Services Agency more power to inspect goods leaving the country, and compel operators at key ports to maintain facilities that support CBSA operations. It also expands the Canadian Coast Guard’s mandate under the Oceans Act to conduct security patrols and intelligence gathering.
In response to rising concerns over drug trafficking and synthetic opioids, the bill proposes a new accelerated mechanism to control precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production. It would also amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove existing legal barriers preventing police from intercepting mail during authorized criminal investigations.
To disrupt illicit financing, the government plans to tighten anti-money laundering laws, impose new restrictions on large cash transactions, and enhance the intelligence-sharing powers of FINTRAC, Canada’s financial watchdog.
“Canada is stepping up in the fight against transnational financial crime,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue. “This bill will strengthen supervision and enforcement to combat money laundering and terrorist financing – reinforcing our government’s commitment to stop illicit financial flows.”
The legislation also targets immigration system vulnerabilities, introducing new rules to address surges in asylum claims and giving Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada more flexibility to suspend, cancel or revise immigration documents.
“Canada is taking action to respond to rising migration pressures,” said Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “We’re improving security at the Canada-U.S. border and making our immigration and asylum systems stronger, more flexible, and responsive to new and developing pressures.”
If passed, the bill would also compel digital service providers to support law enforcement and intelligence agencies through a proposed Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act, and give the RCMP more latitude to share data about sex offenders with global partners.
Further measures are expected in the coming months, including changes to Canada’s bail system and additional efforts to combat auto theft, home invasions, and human trafficking.
The government said the Strong Borders Act is a cornerstone of its public safety strategy and a reflection of the evolving threats facing Canada’s justice, health, and immigration systems.
