MPs get an earful from opponents of ‘lawful access’ bill over privacy concerns
MPs get an earful from opponents of ‘lawful access’ bill over privacy concerns
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/mps-earful-anti-surveillance-group-212835181.html
Publish Date: 2026-06-02 18:28:00
Source Domain: ca.finance.yahoo.com
A person types on a cellphone in Ottawa on, Dec. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick – The Canadian Press · The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — A group that works to keep the internet surveillance-free says a federal bill intended to help police and intelligence services is “an enormous own goal” against Canada’s economy and security.
Matt Hatfield, executive director of OpenMedia, told MPs studying the bill Tuesday that limited amendments will not salvage the proposed legislation.
The government says the bill will ensure law enforcement agencies have the legal tools to prevent, investigate and respond to modern crime and protect Canadians in a manner consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Opponents argue the legislation, known as Bill C-22, unnecessarily expands the powers of police and intelligence agencies, endangers the privacy of Canadians, flouts the Charter and makes Canada a less attractive place to do business.
The bill would require electronic service providers to develop and maintain the technical capabilities necessary to enable police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to effectively obtain communications and information for investigations.
The government says this measure is needed because a provider might lack the secure infrastructure to transfer information to these agencies in a useable format, or they might not be able to pull up the information quickly or ensure its accuracy.
There would be mandatory requirements for certain core providers — likely large telecommunications companies and satellite providers — to have specific capabilities.
The bill would also allow for regulations requiring service providers to retain metadata — digital traces of a communication, but not the email or text itself — for up to one year.
Hatfield told the House of Commons public safety committee that democracies do not keep a filing cabinet of every citizen’s sensitive information in case it’s…
