Toronto / June 13, 2025
A coalition of over 70 civil society organizations from across Canada sent an Open Letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab. The coalition is deeply concerned that the government is putting refugee claimants, immigrants and migrants at risk with Bill C-2, The Strong Borders Act.
The coalition calls on the government to withdraw Bill C-2, and withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the US.
Bill C-2 erodes the rights of refugee claimants and migrants to due process and access to justice. The proposed changes can put them at grave risk.
The government has said the Bill was introduced as a measure to strengthen border security, combat organized crime, stop the flow of drugs, and tackle money laundering.
But these omnibus changes to Canada’s immigration and refugee law will not improve Canada’s security and keep the illegal drug trade away. The Bill scapegoats refugees and migrants for Canada’s real problems while increasing racism and xenophobia.
Read the open letter and view the list of signatories:
English
French