Carney’s border bill gets limits on executive powers, i.e., amendments to Canada’s border bill has set limits on the governor general’s ability to cancel or suspend immigration applications, and to cancel, vary or suspend immigration documents like work permits, study permits, and permanent resident cards. 

Bill C-12 is an act respecting several measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. 

The bill contains provisions that would give the governor general broad powers they could exercise in accordance with their opinion to the public interest, including the ability to: 

  • Cease the acceptance of immigration applications for processing
  • Suspend or terminate the processing of immigration applications
  • Impose or vary conditions on immigration documents 
  • Cancel, vary, or suspend immigration documents
  • Impose or vary conditions on temporary residents 

In the introduced amendments, the public interest would be limited to addressing administrative errors, fraud, public health, national security, and public safety. 

If the bill becomes law with these amendments, foreign nationals and permanent residents in Canada can feel more assured that the government will not issue orders arbitrarily or without good reason.

The amendments also introduce greater accountability and transparency in the use of these sweeping powers, requiring that, after such an order is made, the immigration minister must table a report to parliament justifying the order, along with details of the persons affected. 

Well, the House of Commons is currently debating the bill in its report stage, where members can propose and vote on changes before it moves to its third reading.

It is important to note that, to become law, the bill must pass a vote on its third reading in both the House of Commons and the Senate, and then obtain royal assent. 

If C-12 passes its third reading in the House of Commons, it will proceed to its first reading in the Senate. 

The governor general typically exercises their powers on the advice of Canada’s prime minister and cabinet. 

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