This Week in Canadian Immigration: Strong Borders Act, Citizenship Changes, and OINP Draws
- Gagandeep Singh
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
This week in Canadian immigration has been eventful, with significant legislative changes proposed, major provincial nomination draws, and key updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here's a breakdown of the most important developments from the first week of June 2025.
The "Strong Borders Act" (Bill C-2): A Deep Dive
The Canadian government introduced the "Strong Borders Act" (Bill C-2) on June 3, 2025, a comprehensive piece of legislation that proposes significant changes to Canada's immigration and asylum systems. The bill aims to enhance border security, combat organized crime, and modernize the processing of immigration and refugee claims.
Key provisions of the bill include:
New restrictions on asylum claims: The bill proposes to bar individuals from making an asylum claim if they have been in Canada for more than a year. It also introduces a 14-day time limit for making a claim for those who cross the land border from the United States between official ports of entry.
Expanded powers for the government: The legislation would grant the government the authority to pause the processing of immigration applications and to cancel, suspend, or vary immigration documents in the public interest.
Enhanced information sharing: Bill C-2 would allow for greater information sharing between IRCC and its federal, provincial, and territorial partners to improve efficiency and security.
Modernization of the asylum system: The bill includes measures to simplify the online asylum application process, expedite the referral of complete claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), and provide support for vulnerable claimants.
The "Strong Borders Act" has been met with both support for its aims of strengthening border security and criticism from migrant rights advocates who raise concerns about the potential impact on due process and the rights of asylum seekers.
For more information on the refugee process in Canada, visit our page on Refugees.
A Landmark Change to Citizenship by Descent: Bill C-3
On June 5, 2025, the government introduced Bill C-3, which proposes to amend the Citizenship Act to extend Canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. This is a significant development that would allow Canadian parents who were themselves born abroad to pass on their citizenship to their children born outside of Canada.
To qualify, the Canadian parent would need to demonstrate a "substantial connection" to Canada, defined as having at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in the country before the birth of their child. This legislation responds to a court ruling that found the previous first-generation limit to be unconstitutional.
Ontario Rolls Out the Welcome Mat: Over 3,700 Invited in OINP Draws
On June 3, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a series of large draws for its Employer Job Offer streams, issuing over 3,700 invitations to apply for provincial nomination. The draws targeted candidates in specific regions, including Northern and Eastern Ontario, as well as those in high-demand occupations such as healthcare and career counselling.
These draws are a positive sign for skilled workers seeking to immigrate to Ontario and highlight the province's ongoing commitment to welcoming newcomers to fill labour market needs.
For those interested in the various pathways to permanent residency in Canada, including provincial nominee programs, visit our page on Permanent Residency, offers valuable information.
IRCC Updates: Processing Times and Maintained Status
IRCC provided its latest update on processing times on June 6, 2025. These regular updates are crucial for applicants who are waiting for decisions on their applications for citizenship, permanent residency, work permits, and study permits. The latest update showed some fluctuations in processing times across different categories.
Additionally, at the end of May, IRCC made a notable change to the rules regarding "maintained status" (formerly known as "implied status"). This change affects foreign nationals who apply for a subsequent extension of their stay in Canada after their initial application has been refused.
To learn more about work and study permits in Canada, you can visit the following pages on Elgin Immigration's website:
This has been a week of significant developments in Canadian immigration law and policy. The proposed legislative changes, if passed, will have a lasting impact on the immigration system. As always, it is essential to stay informed of the latest news and updates.
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