Several civil liberties groups are raising red flags about the federal government’s proposed border security legislation, warning it could give law enforcement extensive surveillance powers and compromise Canadians’ privacy.
“This is a deeply troubling bill,” said Matt Hatfield, executive director of OpenMedia, a group advocating for a free and democratic internet. OpenMedia joined hundreds of other organizations at a protest on Parliament Hill last week to voice opposition.
The 139-page legislation, known as Bill C-2 or the Strong Borders Act, was introduced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree earlier this month. The bill is largely seen as a response to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited fentanyl-related deaths and border issues when announcing tariffs on Canadian products late last year.
When pressed by the media about whether the bill aims to appease American concerns, Anandasangaree acknowledged that the federal government had taken U.S. feedback into account but emphasized that Prime Minister Mark Carney is committed to improving border security.
Key Privacy Concerns:
One of the most contentious elements of Bill C-2 is its provision for warrantless access to personal data under certain “urgent” circumstances. Department officials said the bill focuses on combating organized crime, controlling fentanyl trafficking, and expanding tools to tackle financial crime.
However, privacy advocates argue the bill lowers legal safeguards and opens the door to overreach. For instance, it allows law enforcement to request information — without judicial oversight — from a wide range of service providers, including email platforms, hotels, cell phone companies, rental agencies, and even private healthcare facilities.
According to Hatfield, police would not need to demonstrate that the individual whose data they’re accessing is directly involved in a crime — only that the data could be relevant to an investigation.
Tim McSorley, national coordinator with the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, echoed these concerns. He noted that such data could be quietly compiled into detailed profiles without a person’s knowledge or consent.
The bill also proposes increased information sharing across agencies, which raises concerns about cross-border implications. For example, U.S. authorities could potentially access data to identify Americans who travel to Canada for services like abortion, McSorley warned.
“Our concern is that this creates a system vulnerable to abuse, overreach, and serious mistakes,” he said.
