The federal government is taking another shot at legislation to strengthen border security.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, in the House of Commons yesterday.
“The Government of Canada is committed to keeping our communities safe and working with our American partners to further strengthen our border,” Anandasangaree said.
The new bill follows controversy surrounding Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act. Some of the proposed elements of that bill were criticized for infringing on the rights of Canadians.
The minister said he expects the new bill to have broader support in the House of Commons.
“Throughout the summer we had the opportunity to meet and talk to many Canadians, many organizations, many groups that work in elements of where this bill will impact,” he said.
“We’ve also had an opportunity speak with other parliamentarians and we felt that essentially putting forward a second bill that carves out the more contentious elements of Bill C-2 will enable us to get swifter passage of the bill.”
Anandasangaree denied any suggestion the government rushed C-2 in order to appease U.S. President Donald Trump.
“It did come from informed decisions from a range of different departments,” he said. “Having spoken to many stakeholders, the decision was made to bring forward a new bill.”
The new bill includes clauses to improve security at the border as it relates to illicit drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and auto theft.
It will also introduce new ineligibility rules for the asylum system and strengthen Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime.
Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer said the government’s initial plan was its response to pressures and requests from the United States government to improve the situation at the border.
“They got it so wrong so badly right off the bat that the minister’s basically had to use a mulligan and a do-over,” Scheer said.
Bill C-2 is expected to continue through the House, advancing elements that would facilitate law enforcement access to basic and subscriber information to reach online criminals and working with Canada Post to stop fentanyl and other drugs from travelling through the mail.
