“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matthew 23:4.

This verse from the Gospel of Matthew is part of Jesus’ scathing criticism of the scribes and Pharisees, the leaders of Jewish society at the time. What can we say about our leaders today? You can judge for yourselves.

Mark Carney’s government decided to introduce Bill C-2, entitled “Strong Borders Act” on June 3rd, 2025. It uses this title to make us feel that we will be safer if this bill passes. But if we dig into the details, we discover that the most disadvantaged, asylum seekers, will suffer the worst consequences. And even all citizens will see their rights and freedoms diminished.

Imagine a journalist from Mexico who came to Montreal in May 2023 for a conference on the problems of journalism in an era dominated by web giants (Google, Facebook, etc.). She returned to Mexico shortly thereafter. But two years later, she is forced to flee Mexico and seek asylum in Canada because she is being persecuted for her journalism work exposing collusion between drug traffickers and high-ranking government officials. This journalist would no longer be eligible to apply for asylum if Bill C-2 is passed. She would be ineligible because Bill C-2 would prohibit a person from applying for asylum more than one year after their initial arrival in Canada.

She would therefore not be able to file her application with the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) where, normally: 1. she would be entitled to a hearing before an independent member; 2. she could further explain the circumstances of her persecution when questions were asked; 3. she would have the right to appeal the decision if it was negative.

The only thing she could do would be to undergo a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). The PRRA is a much less rigorous procedure than going to the IRB because there is only the possibility of submitting a written submission to an immigration officer who is not independent, and there is no possibility of appeal, only a slim chance of judicial review in Federal Court.

According to the United Nations (UN), there should be no time limit for applying for asylum. Imposing a time limit does not take into account changes in circumstances that may occur, as in the case of the journalist from Mexico. Another example would be that of a Cameroonian student who came to study at the University of Toronto on a student visa. After 18 months of study, there is a coup in Cameroon. His family strongly criticized the coup. He therefore cannot return to Cameroon. He too would not be eligible to apply for asylum.

What I have just explained is only one of the many unfair elements contained in this bill. Let us be clear! C-2, under the pretext of strengthening our borders, tramples on the weakest members of society by taking away their rights. And when the most vulnerable lose their rights, it opens the door for others to lose their rights as well. We have witnessed the harshness and even cruelty of the Trump administration toward asylum seekers arriving in the United States. Bill C-2 would lead us toward similar shameful practices if it is passed.

Share your concerns with your member of parliament by writing to them here. Following Jesus’ example, we must clearly and strongly denounce any form of injustice and lack of compassion toward the most disadvantaged in society perpetrated by our leaders.

Norbert Piché,

Country Director for Jesuit Refugee Service Canada