We conduct a comprehensive analysis of the immigration implications of Bill C-2, an omnibus bill tabled by the federal government that significantly expands government authority and introduces sweeping changes across multiple areas of Canadian law.

Bill C-2's immigration provisions would:

Grant the federal government broad powers to suspend, cancel, or vary immigration documents, including permanent resident visas, permanent resident cards, temporary resident visas, work permits, study permits, and electronic travel authorizations, based on vague “public interest” criteria.

Permit the bulk suspension or cancellation of immigration and refugee applications without individual case review, raising serious concerns regarding Charter rights and judicial oversight.

Introduce major restrictions on refugee protection claims, including a one-year filing bar for those who do not make a claim within 12 months of arrival and expanded ineligibility for individuals who cross the Canada–U.S. border irregularly.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & overview of Bill C-2

6:39 – The democratic and constitutional concerns with omnibus legislation

10:28 – Government powers to cancel immigration documents and applications

27:04 – Refugee claim restrictions: one-year filing bar and ineligibility rules

33:05 – Transitional provisions and measures already in effect

40:09 – Designated representatives and capacity considerations

46:16 – Admissibility hearings, PR status questions, and enforcement abroad

51:49 – Live audience Q&A

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The complexities of Canadian citizenship by descent with immigration lawyers Amandeep Hayer and Lisa Middlemiss.

[1:35] What citizenship by descent means.

[3:17] Historical and current limitations, including the first-generation rule and exceptions.

[5:55] The 2023 Bjorkquist decision.

[9:49] Bill C-3.

[13:57] Interim measures.

[20:26] Debates over residency rules and comparisons to U.S. laws.

[31:00] Voting rights for citizens abroad and potential fraud risks.

[44:02] How to prove citizenship without birth certificates.

[45:43] Citizenship for displaced Native Americans, and

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This episode is a repost of our interview with John McCallum, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration from November 2015 to January 2017. He passed away on June 15, 2025.

A Member of Parliament from 2000 - 2017, he also served as Defence Minister under Jean Chrétien, and Veterans Affairs Minister, National Revenue Minister, Natural Resources Minister and as Chair of the Expenditure Review Committee under Paul Martin.

As Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, Mr. McCallum led Canada's effort to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees over a period of three months. He also increased the age of dependency from 18-22, repealed conditional permanent residency and reduced family class processing times.

5:00 – The resettlement of 40,000 refugees in Canada.

22:00 – The division of immigration repsonsibilities between IRCC, CBSA and ESDC. Should they be combined?

28:00 – What goes into reducing processing times. 33:00 – Abolishing conditional permanent residence.

39:00 – Mr. McCallum’s approach to being immigration critic towards the end of the Harper era.

42:30 – The Barbaric Cultural Practices Act and the Niqab ban.

44:00 – Caregivers

48:00 – Helping as Minister on individual files.

54:00 – What goes into levels planning?

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