An Act respecting lawful access
First substantive federal 'lawful access' bill since the failed 2012 attempt. Civil-liberties groups and privacy commissioners flagged earlier versions as overbroad; this version restricts demands for browsing history and message content and adds judicial oversight, but the encryption-backdoor concerns from Part 2 remain contested.
Status
Quick learn
Updates police and security-agency powers to access digital information during investigations. Faster telecom data requests, emergency-seizure rules, and a requirement that large platforms be technically able to comply with court orders. Civil-liberties groups have flagged the platform-cooperation portions.
Issues this bill touches
- Crime & Public Safety
Modernizes Criminal Code investigative powers for digital evidence (warrants for stored data, preservation demands).
- Digital Rights
Civil-liberties groups have flagged provisions that could pressure platforms to weaken encryption.
- National Security
Updates federal lawful-access framework for police digital investigations.
Legislative history
- Introduced
Tabled in the originating chamber by the sponsor.
View source - First reading
Bill formally introduced; printed text becomes available.
View source - Second reading
Second reading in the House of Commons.
View source
Sponsored by
Sean FraserLIBERALOfficial source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada