A new federal proposal, Bill C-12, could give the Government of Canada authority to suspend or cancel immigration applications and documents under certain conditions.
If passed, the bill would expand the Governor in Council’s powers to control application intake and processing, allowing temporary pauses or cancellations of programs deemed necessary.
Observers note that similar measures were used in 2012 and 2014, when Ottawa eliminated major backlogs in the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Investor and Entrepreneur programs, affecting hundreds of thousands of applicants whose fees were later refunded.
While some online discussions have exaggerated potential wait times, IRCC’s current data confirm growing backlogs in several streams, including Start-Up Visa and Humanitarian and Compassionate categories.
Further clarification on Bill C-12 and future immigration targets is expected around the November 4 federal budget, when the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan is also anticipated.
