April 6, 2026
About SAWIS
South Asian Women’s and Immigrants’ Services (SAWIS) is a community-based, women-led organization delivering services and social programs in the Oakridge, Taylor Massey, and surrounding East-Danforth neighbourhoods of Toronto since 2008. These neighbourhoods are known to have a high concentration of immigrants, refugees, and newcomer women and families from Bangladesh. After arriving in Canada, many families face profound challenges to their full civic, economic, and social participation in Canada.
About Bill C-12
As an organization working with migrants, including families with temporary and/or precarious status such as international students and refugee claimants, we oppose the adoption of Bill C-12 – Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. This bill, originally proposed in June 2025 as Bill C-2: Stronger Borders Act, completed its third-reading and received royal assent on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
The passing of Bill C-12 will result in the following immigration reforms such as:
- Expanding ministerial powers
- Expanding administrative decision-making
- Restrictions to oral hearings
These reforms will apply for all refugee claimants and other migrant groups arriving or making refugee claims in Canada after June 2, 2025.
What is the issue?
Since the Bill’s initial introduction as Bill C-2, SAWIS has been analyzing the proposed reforms with comunity women and youth, all of whom arrived in Canada as im/migrants looking to build stable, secure lives in Canada for themselves and their families.
From our collective assessment, the new immigration reforms set a dangerous precedent that falsely equates the ‘public interest’ with im/migrants rights and belonging in Canada. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, media and government discourses at all levels incorrectly conflate immigration with the real affordability and compounding social crises, despite these problems existing for decades and migrants bearing the brunt of the crises . Instead of addressing the underlying causes, such as profiteering in housing, underfunding in key social programs such as healthcare, and austerity measures, attempts are made to shift responsibility away from powerful economic actors onto im/migrants as scapegoats for these issues.
Bill C-12 is a reflection of this familiar and concerning pattern which targets marginalized groups who have been disproportionately affected by the economic and social crises to justify and advance restrictive policy measures.
Check out the full statements below outlining the concerns of community leaders, recommendations, and resources for community members!
READ THE STATEMENT IN ENGLISH:
READ THE STATEMENT IN BANGLA