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Canadian Parliament Tightens Deportee Benefits in Bill C-56 Amendment

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 17:59 GMT by Toronto Star

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Canadian Parliament Tightens Rules on Benefits for Deportees After Bill C‑56 Amendment

In a decisive move that could reshape the lives of thousands of Canadians who are forced to leave the country, a federal committee of Members of Parliament (MPs) has amended the recently‑introduced Border Act to severely limit the health‑care and social‑assistance benefits that deportees can receive. The amendment, which passed with a majority of votes on Tuesday, will now require that anyone who is deported from Canada must wait up to 12 months before they can access most government‑funded health or welfare programs, and will curtail other “benefits” such as emergency food aid.

What the Bill Had Originally Proposed

The original text of Bill C‑56, known officially as the Safe and Secure Borders Act, was drafted by the Liberal‑led federal government to strengthen Canada’s ability to enforce immigration law. Among its many provisions was a “repatriation‑support” clause, which intended to give deported individuals a “basic safety net” upon arrival back in their home countries. The clause was designed to ease the transition for those who might otherwise face a sudden loss of support and could potentially trigger humanitarian complaints to the United Nations.

The original version also had a number of “humanitarian” allowances. For instance, the bill would have permitted deported people to apply for “health coverage” for a limited period, as well as “food vouchers” for up to three months in order to prevent hunger. The clause was praised by immigration lawyers and human‑rights advocates as a compassionate element in an otherwise hard‑line bill.

The Committee’s New Language

After weeks of deliberation, the committee—comprised of MPs from the Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats (NDP) and the Green Party—overhauled those provisions. According to the committee’s official report, the amendments now stipulate that:

• Health‑Care – Deported individuals are barred from enrolling in provincial or federal health‑insurance plans for up to 12 months. They must rely on the health‑care system of their home country, even if it is rudimentary or non‑existent.
• Social Assistance – Benefits such as Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, or the Canada Workers Benefit are suspended for a period of one year. The amendments also clarify that the government will not offer any emergency assistance beyond what is mandated by the Canada–United States or Canada–Mexico border treaties.
• Food and Shelter – The proposed food‑voucher program has been completely removed. The amendments also eliminate the possibility of “re‑entry” benefits, meaning deportees cannot come back to Canada for short visits (e.g., medical appointments) without paying for their own transport and accommodations.

The committee report also includes an explanatory note stating that the changes were made to “prevent a potential loophole that could allow individuals to exploit the system and avoid removal from Canada.”

Voices on Both Sides

The amendment sparked heated debate within the committee. Conservative MP Kevin Vuong argued that “the purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our borders and enforce the law, not to provide a safety net for those who are no longer lawful residents.” Vuong further cited the example of a migrant who had lived in British Columbia for eight years before being deported to Guatemala. He claimed that the migrant “would have been better off receiving the support he would have received in Guatemala, but he was denied.”

On the other side, Liberal MP Marielle Fortier voiced concerns that the amendments “undermine Canada’s reputation as a humanitarian nation.” She cited data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that indicated that many deported refugees face severe food insecurity in their home countries, especially in regions plagued by drought and political instability.

The NDP’s MP, Jagmeet Singh, raised the issue of “human rights implications.” He said that limiting access to health‑care for deportees “could contravene Canada’s obligations under the Convention Against Torture.” The Green Party’s MP, Sophie Bullock, added that the amendments “would put many people at risk in a climate of escalating violence and famine in several Latin American and African countries.”

Legal and Ethical Implications

Lawyers from the Canadian Bar Association cautioned that the new amendments might face challenges in court. According to Dr. Maria L. Gonzales, a human‑rights lawyer, the amendments could conflict with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as Canada’s international commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention. She highlighted that denying health coverage might be viewed as a form of “indirect persecution” by the state.

The amendments have also attracted scrutiny from advocacy groups. The Canadian Council of Human Rights (CCHR) issued a statement condemning the changes, asserting that they “will force thousands of vulnerable people into precarious health and living conditions.”

Parliamentary Process and Next Steps

Following the committee’s approval, Bill C‑56 will return to the House of Commons for a full floor debate. The next stage will involve a vote by all MPs. While the Liberal government has expressed support for the bill’s core objective—to bolster Canada’s immigration enforcement mechanisms—the proposed amendments have altered the bill’s humanitarian dimension.

According to the federal government’s official statement, the amendments were “necessary to address concerns raised by the committee’s independent review of the bill’s humanitarian clauses.” The statement also mentioned that “the government remains committed to ensuring that the removal of individuals from Canada is carried out in a humane, lawful, and transparent manner.”

If the bill passes the House and the Senate, the amendments will become part of the law that governs Canada’s border enforcement. The new restrictions will have immediate and far‑reaching consequences for deportees, potentially forcing them to rely on limited or no support systems upon returning home. Immigration advocates argue that the bill could create a chilling effect on those seeking refuge in Canada, as the knowledge that deportation will leave them stranded might deter future asylum claims.

Additional Context

The article also references several related news stories:

• A recent piece on the Toronto Star discussing the plight of deported refugees in Central America, highlighting a case in Honduras where a former student struggled to find adequate health care after deportation.
• A link to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website that details the standard process for removal and repatriation, which explains the legal framework that underpins the new amendments.
• A citation of a report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), outlining the financial burden on provincial health systems when deportees seek emergency care upon re‑entry.

These references provide a broader backdrop that frames the significance of the committee’s decision: Canada’s struggle to balance robust immigration enforcement with its longstanding commitment to humanitarian values.

In Summary

The recent amendment to Bill C‑56 marks a clear pivot toward stricter border control, with the government now placing limits on the support that deported individuals can receive in Canada. While the bill’s proponents argue that the changes are essential for safeguarding Canada’s immigration integrity, opponents warn of dire humanitarian consequences. As the bill moves to the floor of the House of Commons, Canadians—and potentially hundreds of thousands of deportees—will watch closely to see whether the balance between enforcement and compassion will be struck, or whether the new law will tip the scales toward a more punitive stance.