OTTAWA: Canada has passed the Border Security Bill (C-12) with amendments that limit benefits for individuals subject to removal orders. The amendment, introduced in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, restricts federal social services—excluding emergency medical care—for those who are under a removal order.
In addition, an amendment requiring mandatory annual reporting on the costs of benefits provided to refugee claimants has also been passed. The new provisions also mandate that the Immigration Minister must explain to Parliament why immigration documents were revoked using ‘public interest’ authority, if such action is taken.
Meanwhile, the House of Commons National Security Committee rejected a Conservative proposal to bar individuals from G7 and European Union countries from making refugee claims in Canada. The Committee stated that these amendments will make Bill C-12 more stringent and bring about changes to Canada’s immigration and border security measures.
