Understanding Canada’s New Asylum Eligibility Rules: STCA, Bill C-12, and What It Means for Refugee Claimants

At the 2026 CBA National Immigration Conference, I presented on the significant changes introduced by the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (formerly Bill C-12, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026). These amendments added two new bars to the referral of refugee claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The rules