OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has firmly rejected a Conservative request to split his controversial lawful access bill, Bill C-22, into two parts. The decision comes as a former CSIS director described the current lack of a robust legal framework for Canadian police and intelligence agencies as “absolutely unacceptable.”
Background on Bill C-22
Bill C-22 aims to reform Canada’s lawful access regime, which governs the most intrusive powers available to police and intelligence agencies. The proposed legislation would make it easier for these authorities to intercept private communications or access personal data during investigations. The bill is divided into two parts: the first allows police and CSIS to ask telecommunications companies whether an individual is a client before obtaining a warrant, while the second part mandates electronic service providers to organize and retain certain client data for up to one year, making it accessible with a warrant.
Conservative Proposal Rejected
On Tuesday, during a committee hearing, Conservatives offered to help pass the first part of C-22 by the summer recess if the Liberals agreed to split the bill, allowing more time to study the controversial second part. However, Anandasangaree was categorical in his refusal. “No, we’re not. Lawful access, Bill C-22 as presented, we are very comfortable with the balance between part one and part two and we are not prepared to split that bill,” he told reporters. He characterized the Conservative motion as “stalling tactics” designed to derail the bill, suggesting internal discord within the Conservative caucus over supporting the reform.
Support and Opposition
The reform has garnered strong support from police and intelligence agencies, which argue that their investigations are increasingly hindered by the lack of modern legal tools to obtain digital evidence. Conversely, the bill faces fierce opposition from privacy advocates, tech giants, and civil liberty groups, who claim it does not adequately protect Canadians’ privacy and encryption. Some companies, including encrypted messaging app Signal, have threatened to withdraw from the Canadian market if the bill becomes law. Former CSIS director echoed the need for updated powers, calling the current situation untenable for national security.
The government maintains that the bill strikes the right balance between security and privacy, and that the second part is essential for tracking threats such as live location monitoring of individuals posing national security risks or those in danger. As the debate continues, the fate of Bill C-22 remains uncertain amid political maneuvering and public scrutiny.
