{"id":25234,"date":"2025-10-28T13:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T17:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/?page_id=25234"},"modified":"2025-11-05T11:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T16:06:11","slug":"bills-c-2-and-c-12-the-wrong-prescription-for-canadas-health-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/bills-c-2-and-c-12-the-wrong-prescription-for-canadas-health-and-safety\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Bills C-2 and C-12: The Wrong Prescription for Canada\u2019s Health and Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"Health depends on care, dignity, and privacy \u2013 not punishment or control. The federal government\u2019s proposed <em>Strong Borders Act<\/em> (Bill C-2) and <em>Strengthening Canada\u2019s Immigration System and Borders Ac<\/em>t (Bill C-12) prioritizes the latter. These bills will make it harder for migrants to access healthcare, deepen Canada\u2019s toxic drug crisis, and expand government surveillance into every aspect of people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n<p>While HIV rates are decreasing globally, they are increasing in Canada. We should be removing barriers to care \u2013 not entrenching them in law.<\/p>\n<p>Add your voice today. Urge the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Minister of Public Safety, and Minister of Immigration to withdraw Bills C-2 and C-12 and commit to evidence-based policies that protect health and save lives.<\/p>\n<p>For more details on each of these points, please read the HIV Legal Network\u2019s information sheet on Bills C-2 and C-12.<\/p>\n<p class=\"download-link-button\"><a class=\"download-link en\" title=\"INFO-SHEET-Bill-C-2-C-12-FINAL-2.0.pdf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/download\/25258\/?tmstv=1777696456\" rel=\"nofollow\">\r\n\tDownload<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Tell the federal government: Withdraw Bills C-2 and C-12 now.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"frm_forms  with_frm_style frm_style_formidable-style\" id=\"frm_form_18_container\" >\n<form enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" method=\"post\" class=\"frm-show-form  frm_ajax_submit  frm_pro_form \" id=\"form_take_action_012\" >\n<div class=\"frm_form_fields \">\n<fieldset>\n<legend class=\"frm_hidden\">Tell the federal government: Withdraw Bills C-2 and C-12 now.<\/legend>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"frm_fields_container\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"frm_action\" value=\"create\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"18\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"frm_hide_fields_18\" id=\"frm_hide_fields_18\" value=\"\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_key\" value=\"take_action_012\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_meta[0]\" value=\"\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"frm_submit_entry_18\" name=\"frm_submit_entry_18\" value=\"32034652ed\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25234\" \/><div id=\"frm_field_219_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_top_container frm_full\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_e6lis632\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Subject\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input  type=\"text\" id=\"field_e6lis632\" name=\"item_meta[219]\" value=\"Bills C-2 and C-12 Are the Wrong Prescription for Canada\u2019s Health and Safety\"  readonly=\"readonly\"  data-frmval=\"Bills C-2 and C-12 Are the Wrong Prescription for Canada\u2019s Health and Safety\" data-invmsg=\"Subject is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/>\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_220_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_required_field frm_top_container frm_full\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_9jv0r132\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Message\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\">*<\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <textarea name=\"item_meta[220]\" id=\"field_9jv0r132\" rows=\"34\"  data-frmval=\"Dear Prime Minister and Ministers:\r\n\r\nI am writing to urge you to withdraw Bill C-2 (the Strong Borders Act) and Bill C-12 (the Strengthening Canada\u2019s Immigration System and Borders Act), and, failing that, to vote against them.\r\n\r\nBill C-2, the government\u2019s first piece of legislation, is an omnibus bill that restricts protections, while expanding criminalization and surveillance under the guise of \u201cborder security.\u201d Bill C-12, introduced in response to criticism, keeps nearly all the same harmful provisions. Together, they will undermine public health and safety.\r\n\r\nRefugee protection and healthcare access: Both bills will impose a one-year bar on refugee claims and expand the Safe Third Country Agreement, blocking most people arriving from the US from seeking asylum. Those barred will be rerouted to a narrow, paper-based risk assessment. Others will lose legal status as the Minister gains new powers to suspend or cancel documents in the \u201cpublic interest\u201d \u2013 which will cut people off from health coverage. Those barred from refugee protection, or who lose their status, will be more likely to be placed in immigration detention, where access to healthcare is uneven at best. \r\n\r\nDrug policy and public health: Both bills would allow the government to fast-track bans on \u201cprecursor\u201d chemicals used to make drugs, repeating decades of failed prohibition that have made the drug supply more toxic. This approach fuels Canada\u2019s health crisis \u2013 pushing people who use drugs away from care and increasing the risks of HIV, hepatitis C, and fatal drug toxicity.\r\n\r\nSurveillance and privacy: Bill C-2 would also government state access to personal data, allowing warrant-free information-sharing between agencies and even across borders. It would permit police and intelligence services to obtain electronic data from companies under reduced oversight. Such measures undermine confidentiality and erode the trust people need to access healthcare.\r\n\r\nWhile HIV rates are decreasing globally, they are increasing in Canada. These bills would make that situation worse by expanding criminalization, surveillance, and exclusion rather than investing in prevention, treatment, and care.\r\n\r\nFor more details on each of these point, please read the HIV Legal Network\u2019s information sheet on Bills C-2 and C-12 at: www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HIVLN-INFO-SHEET-Bill-C-2-C-12-.pdf\r\n\r\nThe government must withdraw Bills C-2 and C-12 and commit to evidence-based, health-focused policies that protect \u2013 not endanger \u2013 people\u2019s lives.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\" data-reqmsg=\"Message cannot be blank.\" aria-required=\"true\" data-invmsg=\"Message is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  >Dear Prime Minister and Ministers:\r\n\r\nI am writing to urge you to withdraw Bill C-2 (the Strong Borders Act) and Bill C-12 (the Strengthening Canada\u2019s Immigration System and Borders Act), and, failing that, to vote against them.\r\n\r\nBill C-2, the government\u2019s first piece of legislation, is an omnibus bill that restricts protections, while expanding criminalization and surveillance under the guise of \u201cborder security.\u201d Bill C-12, introduced in response to criticism, keeps nearly all the same harmful provisions. Together, they will undermine public health and safety.\r\n\r\nRefugee protection and healthcare access: Both bills will impose a one-year bar on refugee claims and expand the Safe Third Country Agreement, blocking most people arriving from the US from seeking asylum. Those barred will be rerouted to a narrow, paper-based risk assessment. Others will lose legal status as the Minister gains new powers to suspend or cancel documents in the \u201cpublic interest\u201d \u2013 which will cut people off from health coverage. Those barred from refugee protection, or who lose their status, will be more likely to be placed in immigration detention, where access to healthcare is uneven at best. \r\n\r\nDrug policy and public health: Both bills would allow the government to fast-track bans on \u201cprecursor\u201d chemicals used to make drugs, repeating decades of failed prohibition that have made the drug supply more toxic. This approach fuels Canada\u2019s health crisis \u2013 pushing people who use drugs away from care and increasing the risks of HIV, hepatitis C, and fatal drug toxicity.\r\n\r\nSurveillance and privacy: Bill C-2 would also government state access to personal data, allowing warrant-free information-sharing between agencies and even across borders. It would permit police and intelligence services to obtain electronic data from companies under reduced oversight. Such measures undermine confidentiality and erode the trust people need to access healthcare.\r\n\r\nWhile HIV rates are decreasing globally, they are increasing in Canada. These bills would make that situation worse by expanding criminalization, surveillance, and exclusion rather than investing in prevention, treatment, and care.\r\n\r\nFor more details on each of these point, please read the HIV Legal Network\u2019s information sheet on Bills C-2 and C-12 at: www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HIVLN-INFO-SHEET-Bill-C-2-C-12-.pdf\r\n\r\nThe government must withdraw Bills C-2 and C-12 and commit to evidence-based, health-focused policies that protect \u2013 not endanger \u2013 people\u2019s lives.\r\n\r\nSincerely,<\/textarea>\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_221_container\" class=\"frm_form_field  frm_html_container form-field\"><strong>Note: Your name and email address will be inserted into the message above.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_222_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_required_field frm_top_container frm_first frm_half\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_qh4icy32\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Name\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\">*<\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input  type=\"text\" id=\"field_qh4icy32\" name=\"item_meta[222]\" value=\"\"  data-reqmsg=\"Name cannot be blank.\" aria-required=\"true\" data-invmsg=\"Name is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   aria-describedby=\"frm_desc_field_qh4icy32\" \/>\r\n    <div id=\"frm_desc_field_qh4icy32\" class=\"frm_description\">First<\/div>\r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_223_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_required_field frm_hidden_container frm_half\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_ocfup132\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Last\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\">*<\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input  type=\"text\" id=\"field_ocfup132\" name=\"item_meta[223]\" value=\"\"  data-reqmsg=\"Last cannot be blank.\" aria-required=\"true\" data-invmsg=\"Last is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   aria-describedby=\"frm_desc_field_ocfup132\" \/>\r\n    <div id=\"frm_desc_field_ocfup132\" class=\"frm_description\">Last<\/div>\r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_224_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_required_field frm_top_container frm_full\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_29yf4d32\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Email\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\">*<\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input type=\"email\" id=\"field_29yf4d32\" name=\"item_meta[224]\" value=\"\"  data-reqmsg=\"Email cannot be blank.\" aria-required=\"true\" data-invmsg=\"Please enter a valid email address\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_225_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_top_container frm_third frm_first\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_3rxva2\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">City\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input  type=\"text\" id=\"field_3rxva2\" name=\"item_meta[225]\" value=\"\"  data-invmsg=\"City is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/>\r\n   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Island\">Prince Edward Island<\/option><option  value=\"Quebec\">Quebec<\/option><option  value=\"Saskatchewan\">Saskatchewan<\/option><option  value=\"Yukon\">Yukon<\/option>\t<\/select>\n\t\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_227_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_top_container frm_third\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_xkn3b2\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Postal Code\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <input  type=\"text\" id=\"field_xkn3b2\" name=\"item_meta[227]\" value=\"\"  data-invmsg=\"Postal Code is invalid\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/>\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_228_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_none_container horizontal_radio\">\r\n    <label for=\"field_83h0m2\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Legal Network Updates\r\n        <span class=\"frm_required\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/label>\r\n    <div class=\"frm_opt_container\">\t\t<div class=\"frm_checkbox\" id=\"frm_checkbox_228-0\">\t\t\t<label  for=\"field_83h0m2-0\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"item_meta[228][]\" id=\"field_83h0m2-0\" value=\"Click here to receive occasional updates from the Legal Network \"  data-invmsg=\"Legal Network Updates is invalid\"   \/> Click here to receive occasional updates from the Legal Network <\/label><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n    \r\n    \r\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_234_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field  frm_none_container\">\n\t<label for=\"g-recaptcha-response\" id=\"field_80ovq_label\" class=\"frm_primary_label\">Captcha\n\t\t<span class=\"frm_required\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t<\/label>\n\t<div  id=\"field_80ovq\" class=\"frm-g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LcdcgIsAAAAAB0d-L34gh-LrCmU9mLonheJAk7w\" data-size=\"normal\" data-theme=\"light\"><\/div>\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"frm_field_230_container\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field \">\r\n\t<div class=\"frm_submit\">\r\n\r\n<button class=\"frm_button_submit frm_final_submit\" type=\"submit\"   formnovalidate=\"formnovalidate\">Send<\/button>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_key\" value=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<div id=\"frm_field_280_container\">\n\t\t\t<label for=\"field_mrqva\" >\n\t\t\t\tIf you are human, leave this field blank.\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t<input  id=\"field_mrqva\" type=\"text\" class=\"frm_form_field form-field frm_verify\" name=\"item_meta[280]\" value=\"\"  \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<input name=\"frm_state\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"w6coKxmIMbg7cwPvIZ\/34co+1t7F1dNyzS03VkokC8cpiL1YoXJfnxEBmH36G4Hq\" \/><\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/form>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Health depends on care, dignity, and privacy \u2013 not punishment or control. The federal government\u2019s proposed Strong Borders Act (Bill C-2) and Strengthening Canada\u2019s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) prioritizes the latter. These bills will make it harder for migrants to access healthcare, deepen Canada\u2019s toxic drug crisis, and expand government surveillance into &#8230; <a title=\"Bills C-2 and C-12: The Wrong Prescription for Canada\u2019s Health and Safety\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/bills-c-2-and-c-12-the-wrong-prescription-for-canadas-health-and-safety\/?lang=en\" aria-label=\"More on Bills C-2 and C-12: The Wrong Prescription for Canada\u2019s Health and Safety\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25234","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25234"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25284,"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25234\/revisions\/25284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}