Immigration law section submits suggestions to immigration, public safety, public works ministers
The Canadian Bar Association’s immigration law section announced that it submitted 100 recommendations seeking to strengthen and modernize the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2001 (IRPA) and related regulations to meet current pressures, demands, and global realities.
“IRPA has served Canada well since its enactment in 2001, but the immigration landscape has shifted dramatically in the past two decades,” said Kamaljit Kaur Lehal, chair of the CBA immigration law section, in the news release.
“Canada’s immigration system has become increasingly opaque, unpredictable, and risk-averse—relying on Ministerial Instructions and internal policies instead of clear, accountable laws,” Lehal added in the news release.
The submission – titled “Law, Technology, and Accountability: Reimagining Canadian Immigration for the 21st Century” – emphasizes the need for coherent and internally consistent updates to federal immigration legislation to ensure it aligns with its original vision.
The submission seeks significant reforms to the country’s immigration framework to address today’s migration issues, swift technological shifts, and rising demands for transparency and public accountability.
“We believe that the public deserves a system where immigration decisions are made transparently, based on consistent rules, and with meaningful democratic input,” Lehal said in the news release.
The CBA shared the recommendations with Lena Metlege Diab, the minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship; Gary Anandasangaree, the minister of public safety; and Joël Lightbound, the minister of government transformation, public works, and procurement.
The CBA’s immigration law section noted that it was looking forward to communicating with the Canadian government to assist in establishing a fair, proactive, and resilient immigration system for Canada’s future.
“We now urge the government to seize this opportunity to rebuild trust, restore balance, and craft a system that is user-friendly, understandable, and accessible,” Lehal said in the CBA’s news release.
According to the CBA, six principles – human rights, innovation, transparency, natural justice, collaboration, and user experience – formed the foundation for the suggested changes. The CBA said these principles provided a roadmap for an effective and equitable immigration system. The CBA added that lawyers across Canada backed the 100 recommendations.
“I want to thank everyone in our Section who contributed to this important set of recommendations,” Lehal said in the news release.
