What this bill does
The Strong Borders Act is an omnibus security bill that strengthens Canada-US border enforcement, tightens immigration and refugee claim processes, significantly increases anti-money laundering penalties and compliance requirements, modernizes law enforcement data access powers, creates a new framework requiring electronic service providers to facilitate lawful information access, restricts large cash transactions, and expands coast guard and postal inspection authorities.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
This bill impacts a wide range of Canadian businesses. Financial institutions (banks, credit unions, money services businesses) face substantially higher penalties for anti-money laundering violations (up to $20 million for entities), mandatory compliance agreements with FINTRAC, a new enrollment requirement, and a prohibition on accepting third-party cash deposits. Any business, charity, or professional practice across Canada accepting payments from the public is prohibited from accepting cash payments, donations, or deposits of $10,000 or more in a single or related series of transactions — affecting retailers, car dealers, jewellers, real estate agents, lawyers, and charitable organizations. Telecommunications and electronic service providers face new obligations to build and maintain technical capabilities for lawful interception, assist law enforcement, and comply with ministerial orders or face administrative penalties up to $250,000. Operators of international bridges, tunnels, railways, airports, wharves, and docks must now provide border facilities free of charge. Businesses transporting goods for export must grant border officers access to premises and goods. Immigration consultants and employers relying on temporary foreign workers may be affected by new powers allowing the Governor in Council to suspend, cancel, or vary immigration documents and halt application processing in the public interest.