Ottawa, May 26, 2025 – The Canadian Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section is calling for a major overhaul of Canada’s immigration framework, releasing 100 recommendations to modernize the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) for the 21st century.
In a submission titled Law, Technology, and Accountability: Reimagining Canadian Immigration for the 21st Century, the CBA highlights the urgent need to update Canada’s immigration legislation to meet today’s global realities, including increased migration pressures, rapid technological change, and growing demands for transparency and public accountability.
The proposed reforms are guided by six foundational principles: human rights, innovation, transparency, natural justice, collaboration, and user experience. Together, they present a bold, principled roadmap for a modern immigration system that is both effective and equitable.
The CBA has shared its recommendations with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, the Minister of Public Safety, The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, and the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, The Honourable Joël Lightbound. The Immigration Law Section welcomes the opportunity to engage in further dialogue with the federal government to help build a fair, forward-looking, and resilient immigration system for Canada’s future.
Quotes
“IRPA has served Canada well since its enactment in 2001, but the immigration landscape has shifted dramatically in the past two decades. Canada’s immigration system has become increasingly opaque, unpredictable, and risk-averse—relying on Ministerial Instructions and internal policies instead of clear, accountable laws. We believe that the public deserves a system where immigration decisions are made transparently, based on consistent rules, and with meaningful democratic input.”
“I want to thank everyone in our Section who contributed to this important set of recommendations. 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.”
- Kamaljit Kaur Lehal, Chair of the CBA Immigration Law Section
Quick Facts
- The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) has served as Canada’s foundational immigration law since its enactment in 2001.
- Since the landscape has changed in the past two decades, coherent and internally consistent updates to the IRPA are required to respond to current pressures and demands.
- The submission from the CBA Immigration Law Section outlines 100 recommendations to strengthen the Act and Regulations and ensure it lives up to its original vision.
- The 100 recommendations are supported by the expertise of legal professionals across Canada.
Related links
Law, Technology, and Accountability: Reimagining Canadian Immigration for the 21st Century
CBA Immigration Law Section
About the Canadian Bar Association
The CBA is dedicated to support the rule of law and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 40,000 lawyers, judges, notaries in Quebec, judges, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members.