Bill C-12 curbing asylum, immigration rights becomes law amid warnings of court challenges

A law restricting access to asylum hearings for foreign nationals who have been in Canada for more than one year has received royal assent. Critics warn genuine refugee claimants could be returned to dangerous situations and predict a surge in federal-court challenges, creating legal and political uncertainty and potential reputational risk for Canada, though the development is unlikely to have direct market impact.

Analysis

A law restricting access to asylum hearings for foreign nationals who have been in Canada for more than one year has received royal assent. Critics warn genuine refugee claimants could be returned to dangerous situations and predict a surge in federal-court challenges, creating legal and political uncertainty and potential reputational risk for Canada, though the development is unlikely to have direct market impact.