The federal government is looking to gain the authority to void visa applications for groups of visa holders, citing concerns of fraudulent activities from India and Bangladesh, as per internal documents obtained by CBC News. A presentation to the immigration minister’s office highlighted a collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and undisclosed U.S. partners to detect and cancel deceptive visitor visa applications. The joint effort aims to enhance capabilities to reject and annul visas, particularly focusing on challenges from India and Bangladesh.
The presentation outlined various potential scenarios where mass cancellation powers could be utilized, including during a pandemic, warfare, and concerning country-specific visa holders. Immigration Minister Lena Diab has publicly mentioned the government’s interest in these powers due to potential crises like pandemics or wars, without specifically referencing country-specific visa holders.
The proposal for mass visa cancellations was included in Bill C-2, the comprehensive border legislation, which was later divided into two parts, with the visa cancellation component now part of C-12, a bill the government hopes to swiftly pass. Notably, over 300 civil society groups have raised apprehensions about the legislation, expressing concerns that group cancellations could pave the way for extensive deportations.
The documents revealed a surge in asylum claims from Indian nationals and highlighted the impact on visa processing times, attributing delays to intensified verification processes. The presentation indicated a rise in instances where individuals from India were not allowed to board flights. However, no data regarding claims from Bangladesh was provided in the document.
Regarding the new powers being sought, IRCC clarified that they are not aimed at any specific group or situation, emphasizing that decisions would not be unilateral. Another document from October 2024 urged for additional visa cancellation powers to bolster security measures and prevent document misuse.
The government emphasized taking tangible steps to manage immigration effectively, including stricter scrutiny of temporary resident visa applications from countries with high abuse rates, leading to a substantial decrease in illegal crossings from the U.S. and a decline in asylum claims from visa holders. However, the department did not directly address why India and Bangladesh were singled out in the internal presentation or why the concept of mass cancellation for country-specific cases was not publicly disclosed.
As the government pursues these powers, efforts are also underway to mend relations with India, which have been strained since 2023. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada in June signaled a potential thaw in diplomatic ties, with both countries expressing interest in revitalizing their relationship. The impact of the proposed visa cancellation powers on India-Canada relations remains uncertain, as Global Affairs has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter.
