Vote No
An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures
This bill is a broad security package that tightens border, immigration, maritime, policing, and anti‑money laundering (AML) laws. It gives CBSA new authority to access export‑bound goods and requires facilities free of charge, empowers the Coast Guard to conduct security and intelligence activities, and validates police undercover work relating to drug inchoate offences. It expands IRCC information sharing, reshapes the in‑Canada asylum intake and abandonment process, requires claimants to be physically present, and lets the government suspend or terminate classes of immigration applications or cancel documents in the public interest. It modernizes the AML regime with mandatory FINTRAC enrolment, a public roll, tougher penalties and new offences, and allows CBSA to share travel data on registered sex offenders.
The bill advances safety and system integrity but introduces significant new powers and compliance burdens that raise red tape, regulatory uncertainty, and costs for exporters, financial firms, and employers relying on immigration. Without stronger transparency, safeguards, and pro‑flow offsets, the overall alignment with growth‑oriented tenets is negative.
What is the quantified impact on exporters and port/warehouse operators of the new CBSA access and free‑of‑charge facility requirements, and will the government set binding service standards and compensation mechanisms to prevent shipment delays and added costs?
Before invoking public‑interest orders to suspend or terminate categories of immigration applications or to cancel documents, what transparent criteria, economic impact assessments, maximum time limits, and parliamentary oversight will be required to protect employers, students, and families from arbitrary disruption?
How will the new FINTRAC enrolment, public roll, and escalated penalties be calibrated to avoid crushing small money services businesses and fintech innovators, and will there be phased implementation, safe harbours, and clear outcome‑based guidance published before enforcement?
Stronger border/financial integrity can support prosperity, but new compliance burdens and broad immigration shutdown powers risk deterring talent, slowing trade, and increasing costs; net impact is unclear.
Mandatory FINTRAC enrolment, a public roll, steep penalties, expanded inspection access, and sweeping ministerial/GIC orders add regulatory risk and paperwork for exporters, financial firms, and applicants.
Unpredictable suspension/termination of immigration streams and heightened export inspection burdens can constrain labour supply and logistics efficiency, undermining competitiveness despite potential integrity gains.
Expanded CBSA access to export‑bound goods and facilities may slow throughput and add costs for exporters without offsetting measures to maintain flow and service standards.
Integrity benefits are offset by heavy AML obligations and high penalties that could chill fintech/MSB innovation; broad immigration orders create uncertainty for investors relying on talent mobility.
Information‑sharing and pre‑referral asylum triage may reduce backlogs, but new regimes (enrolment, compliance orders, order‑making powers) add administrative workload and potential duplication.
No material tax measures.
While sweeping on security, it does not directly advance large‑scale pro‑growth reforms; benefits to prosperity are indirect and counterbalanced by added regulatory frictions.
Did we get the builder vote wrong?
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