Opposition to Bills C-2 and C-12
The following resolution was approved in a General Membership Meeting by CUPE 2278 members on October 22, 2025
Because:
In June 2025, the federal government introduced Bill C-2, otherwise known as the Strong Borders Act, to the House of Commons. If made into law, this legislation would: increase the government’s powers to revoke immigration status; infringe the rights of asylum seekers under international law; enable mass public surveillance by law enforcement and intelligence agencies; and allow the Canadian government to share data with the United States and other foreign governments.
CUPE National has described this bill as an “attack on human rights, migrant and refugee rights, and the privacy rights of everyone”. As such, this bill would infringe upon the rights of all of our members. It is particularly threatening for the large portion of our members that are immigrants to Canada.
On October 8, 2025, in response to opposition to Bill C-2, the federal government introduced Bill C-12, otherwise known as The Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act. As the Migrant Rights Network has noted, just as with Bill C-2, Bill C-12 is “a cruel and violent law that aims to create a mass deportation machine.”
CUPE 2278 is committed to building a strong and united labour movement provincially, nationally, and globally. Bill C-2 and Bill C-12 undermine this goal by reinforcing and further entrenching divisionary anti-migrant tactics and rhetoric that pit workers against each other.
Be it Resolved That:
CUPE 2278 call for the withdrawal of both pieces of legislation by endorsing the statement released by the Migrant Rights Network
CUPE 2278 supports the fight for migrant justice by sharing this work on the union communications platforms, endorsing events, and doing joint and coalition work with migrant student and worker groups.
CUPE 2278 will organize education and communications materials about the importance of migrant justice in labour organizations and in the university sector.