Public Safety and National Security

This meeting of the Public Safety and National Security committee focused on a proposed law, Bill C-22, specifically discussing changes to how law enforcement can get information from service providers. The main discussion revolved around a subamendment to an earlier proposed change (amendment BQ-4) related to "subscriber information"—basic details like names and addresses linked to a service. Key speakers included committee members and officials from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Department of Justice, the Department of Public Safety, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Mr. Housefather proposed a subamendment to clarify that judges would have more control over what specific subscriber information police could request. Justice Department official Normand Wong explained that this subamendment would make it clear that judges have the power to decide what information is appropriate, addressing concerns that the original wording of the proposed law was too broad. RCMP official Aaron Gilkes provided practical examples, explaining that police often don't know the exact terms service providers use for data. He said that if police requests are too specific, they might get incomplete information or no information at all, which can slow down or stop investigations. The subamendment aims to give police enough flexibility to get the necessary information while still ensuring a judge oversees the process. CSIS official Ramzi Nashef clarified that this specific part of the proposed law (Part 1) is mainly for law enforcement and not a tool CSIS would typically use. Committee members, particularly Tamara Kronis and Jacob Mantle, asked many questions to understand how the subamendment would work in real-life situations, balancing privacy concerns with the needs of law enforcement. They discussed how police gather evidence for crimes like fraud and how the proposed changes would affect that process. There was also a lot of debate about the pace of the committee's work and whether enough time was being given to discuss the proposed law. Ultimately, the committee voted to adopt Mr. Housefather's subamendment, and then adopted the original amendment (BQ-4) as changed by the subamendment. Shortly after, a motion was made to end the meeting, which was passed, concluding the discussion on this specific part of the proposed law.

The Public Safety and National Security committee met to review a proposed law, Bill C-22, which aims to update how police can access digital information during investigations. The committee went through the proposed law section by section, discussing changes (amendments) and hearing from government experts about how these changes would affect police work and people's privacy. During the meeting, committee members discussed specific parts of the proposed law. Jenny Kwan from the NDP suggested removing words that would allow police to access data "available to" a device, arguing it was too broad. However, experts from the Department of Justice and the RCMP explained that this change would make it much harder for police to find important evidence, especially with information stored online (in the "cloud"), as criminals could easily delete it. Claude DeBellefeuille from the Bloc Québécois proposed changes to add more safeguards for examining computer data and to narrow down what "subscriber information" (like names, addresses, or pseudonyms) police could get. Government officials and RCMP representatives argued that the current wording is needed to help police identify suspects, especially when criminals use fake names. They also explained that judges would still need to approve these requests, balancing the need for investigations with privacy. Committee members Frank Caputo and Rhonda Kirkland from the Conservative party raised concerns about the broadness of the definitions and the balance between police powers and privacy rights. They also pointed out that not all important public comments (briefs) had been translated for review. Ms. Kirkland tried to get the Privacy Commissioner to return to the meeting to help explain his recommendations, but this request was not approved. The committee voted on two proposed changes, both of which were rejected. The meeting ended while they were still discussing another proposed change related to subscriber information, meaning no final decision was made on that part of the law.

The committee discussed a proposed law aimed at modernizing how police and security agencies can access digital information to fight crime, while also considering privacy concerns. The meeting began by quickly approving three budgets, but the main focus was a proposed law called "An Act Respecting Lawful Access," which seeks to update how law enforcement can get digital information for investigations. Many witnesses raised concerns about the proposed law. Marcel-Olivier Nadeau from the Quebec Bar Association argued that definitions were too broad and the legal standard for getting information was too low. Luc Lefebvre from Crypto Québec urged the committee to withdraw the law, fearing it could weaken encryption and create a permanent digital monitoring system. Philippe Dufresne, the Privacy Commissioner, suggested narrowing definitions and requiring that any obligations be "necessary and proportionate." Representatives from Apple and Google also worried about the law's potential to force companies to weaken encryption or create "back doors," and about broad, secret ministerial orders. Tamir Israel from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association highlighted the law's broad scope and lack of judicial authorization. Conversely, Mathias Van Laer from the RCMP, Commissioner Thomas Carrique from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton strongly supported the proposed law. They stressed that modern criminals use digital tools, making it hard for police to investigate serious crimes like child exploitation and extortion. They argued the law would provide essential, modernized tools, such as faster access to basic subscriber information and metadata, which are crucial for investigations. Commissioner Carrique clarified that the law is not about broad surveillance but about effective, judicially authorized investigations. Mayor Brown shared examples of how delays in getting digital information allowed crimes to continue, emphasizing the need for this balanced approach. No immediate decisions were made, but committee members discussed potential amendments. Concerns were raised about the rushed process and the short deadline for submitting changes, especially after the Privacy Commissioner's detailed recommendations were distributed late. The Chair acknowledged these concerns and stated he would review the matter of privilege and discuss potential schedule changes after the meeting. The committee will continue its review and consider amendments to the proposed law.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss proposed law C-22, which deals with lawful access to electronic information by law enforcement. The goal is to update laws to address modern crime, which often involves digital platforms and encryption. Key witnesses included Professor Leah West, who suggested amendments to strengthen the proposed law, particularly around subscriber information, risks to individuals in foreign countries, and cybersecurity. Police Chiefs Darcy Fleury and Myron Demkiw spoke in favor of the proposed law, highlighting how it would help them investigate crimes like drug trafficking, human trafficking, and online exploitation more efficiently. They emphasized the importance of timely access to information to protect vulnerable people, especially children. Other experts like Professors Robert Diab and Michael Geist, and lawyer David Fraser, raised concerns about the proposed law's potential impact on privacy and cybersecurity. They suggested narrowing the scope of subscriber information requests and strengthening safeguards against systemic vulnerabilities. Representatives from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Peel Children's Aid Society also provided their perspectives on the proposed law's potential benefits and risks. The committee discussed various aspects of the proposed law, including encryption, data retention, and the balance between public safety and privacy rights. Witnesses proposed specific amendments to address concerns about overreach and potential abuses of power. The committee also heard from the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) and the Intelligence Commissioner (IC) about their roles in overseeing the proposed law's implementation.

The Canadian parliamentary committee met to discuss proposed law C-22, which deals with lawful access to digital information by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Mike McGuire from Public Safety Canada explained that the proposed law aims to update Canada's legal framework to address gaps in accessing digital information needed for investigations, while respecting privacy rights. The proposed law includes things like confirming if a telecommunications service provider has a customer with a specific phone number or IP address, getting basic subscriber information, and ensuring electronic service providers have the technical ability to respond to lawful access requests. Committee members raised concerns about the proposed law's impact on encryption and privacy. Frank Caputo, a Conservative member, questioned whether the proposed law would require companies providing encrypted communication services to create ways for the government to access that data. Shannon Hiegel from Public Safety Canada clarified that the proposed law is not intended to force companies to decrypt end-to-end encrypted communications. Sima Acan, a Liberal member, asked about the types of metadata that would be collected and how it would be used in investigations. Richard Burchill from the RCMP gave examples of how metadata, like IP addresses and time stamps, can help law enforcement in investigations. Claude DeBellefeuille, a Bloc Québécois member, questioned why the current chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) wasn't consulted on the proposed law. She also raised concerns about the low threshold of "reasonable grounds to suspect" for obtaining information. Dane Lloyd, a Conservative member, expressed concern that the proposed law could force companies to create vulnerabilities in their systems that could be exploited by hackers. The committee also heard from Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and Minister of Justice Sean Fraser, who defended the proposed law as necessary to keep Canadians safe in the digital age. Minister Anandasangaree stated the government is willing to work with the committee to strengthen the proposed law. He also said the proposed law is encryption-neutral and does not aim to break encryption. The committee discussed potential amendments to clarify the proposed law's impact on encryption and to define key terms like "metadata." The committee will continue its study of the proposed law and consider potential amendments.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss Canada's process for removing foreign nationals with criminal records. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab explained how their departments work to keep Canadians safe by removing individuals who pose a risk. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported removing over 22,500 inadmissible people in 2025, a record number. They emphasized collaboration between agencies and with international partners is key to identifying and removing threats. Much of the meeting focused on a recent case where a former senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was granted a visa to Canada, but was then stopped at the border and sent back. Committee members questioned the ministers about how this could happen, pressing them on why the individual was issued a visa in the first place, given the IRGC's designation as a terrorist organization. Ministers Diab and Anandasangaree stated they could not comment on specific cases for privacy reasons, but assured the committee that the safety and security of Canadians is always the top priority. Conservative committee members questioned whether the Minister of Immigration was briefed on the visa application. The Deputy Minister of Immigration acknowledged that mistakes happen and stated that he is accountable and motivated to tighten controls within Canada's immigration system. The committee also discussed proposed law C-12 and how it will give CBSA and law enforcement more tools to remove individuals linked to organized crime and to stop the flow of illicit drugs like fentanyl. The committee agreed to continue the discussion in a private session.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss port clearance practices and the H2O highway corridor, hearing from witnesses about challenges and opportunities in Canada's marine transportation system. Neil Dubord, a retired police chief, warned that Canada's ports are vulnerable to transnational organized crime, with only a small percentage of containers being inspected and security clearances lacking for many port workers. He proposed an integrated task force, private sector partnerships, mandatory security clearances, and a small fee on shipping containers to fund security measures. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a professor, highlighted the stagnation of container port systems on Canada's east coast compared to the U.S., suggesting that pre-clearance systems similar to those used for air travel could improve cross-border container movement, but noted challenges due to port depth and geopolitical factors. Serge Auclair from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation emphasized the seaway's underutilized capacity and the need for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to support economic development by enabling container import and export at more ports in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region. He argued that this would ease congestion on highways and rail networks. Committee members questioned the witnesses about security clearances, random searches, and the potential for smaller ports to contribute to the overall efficiency of the system. In the second hour, David Rivest of Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. focused on the need for clarity from CBSA regarding container clearance at medium-sized ports like Valleyfield, which already has security and customs foundations in place. Robert Bellisle of QSL International emphasized the strategic importance of marine transportation to the Canadian economy and the need for CBSA to accelerate marine infrastructure projects by expanding border services at more ports, including the Port of Québec. Saul Polo from St. Lawrence Shipoperators called for CBSA to adopt a more flexible approach, including mobile customs clearance units and allowing transshipment of uncleared containers, to enhance the use of the short-sea shipping network and reduce congestion at major ports. Committee members explored the potential of inland ports, investments needed for small and medium-sized ports, and the challenges of working with CBSA to implement more flexible and responsive clearance practices. Witnesses highlighted the economic benefits of expanding CBSA services to more ports, including increased trade, reduced transportation costs, and support for regional economic development. The discussion also touched on the need for government leadership to provide CBSA with a clear directive and strategic vision to support these goals. Ultimately, the committee is considering how to optimize Canada's marine transportation system by addressing security concerns, improving efficiency, and enabling greater flexibility in container clearance practices, with a focus on the role of CBSA in supporting these objectives.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) role in trade, especially along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence corridor. The first part of the meeting focused on how Transport Canada works with the CBSA to support trade and ensure the transportation system is safe and efficient. Sonya Read from Transport Canada explained how her department provides economic analysis and advice to the CBSA on projects that could improve trade and supply chains. Committee members questioned her about specific ports, like Oshawa and Montreal, and whether Transport Canada could do more to help them. The second part of the meeting shifted to the issue of stolen vehicles and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) cloning. James Hamilton from the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, and John Tod from VIN Verification Services Inc., spoke about how criminals are using VINs from legally exported vehicles to disguise stolen cars, making them difficult to detect. They asked the committee to consider ways to improve data sharing between the CBSA and other organizations to help identify these stolen vehicles and protect consumers. They suggested that the CBSA should share data on exported VINs with more organizations to help identify cloned vehicles. Aviseo Consulting economists Mathieu Paquet and Guillaume Chartrand presented their study on the economic benefits of improving container reception services at smaller ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway. They argued that investing in these ports could boost productivity and economic growth. Committee members discussed the potential for smaller ports like Valleyfield to contribute to the overall efficiency of the supply chain. The committee discussed the possibility of a pilot project to test innovative solutions for clearing containers at smaller ports. Several recommendations were put forward, including mandating standardized training for CBSA officers, fully implementing advance export filing, expanding VIN data sharing, establishing transparent service-level agreements for inspection facilities, and piloting a private sector augmentation model for VIN examinations. The committee acknowledged the need for a more proactive and intelligence-led approach to combatting auto theft and improving port security.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) role in the H2O highway corridor and port clearance practices. The committee heard from representatives from the CBSA, as well as from the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority and the Société du Port de Valleyfield. Cathy Toxopeus and Daniel Anson from the CBSA spoke about the agency's role in facilitating trade while also protecting the safety and security of Canadians. They highlighted the use of technology like radiation screening portals and large-scale imaging at major ports to detect contraband. They also mentioned the CBSA is aware of calls for increased presence at smaller ports and is always looking for ways to better support trade, but decisions about port infrastructure are outside their control. Ian Hamilton from the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority emphasized the importance of ports to Canada's economy and the potential for expanding container traffic on the Great Lakes. He noted that no Great Lakes port in Ontario or Canada has full container clearance capacity, which limits their role in international trade. Isabelle Viau from the Société du Port de Valleyfield discussed the negative impact of the CBSA ending customs clearance services at the Port of Valleyfield, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies for businesses in the region. Committee members questioned the witnesses on a range of issues, including the effectiveness of current screening methods, the impact of CBSA policies on port operations, and the potential for improving coordination between different agencies. Some committee members raised concerns about the CBSA's workplace culture and human rights policies, but these questions were challenged as being off-topic. The committee discussed the possibility of public-private partnerships to improve port services. The committee did not make any specific decisions during the meeting, but the discussion highlighted the need for improved coordination and investment in port infrastructure to support Canada's trade goals.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss budget plans and various issues related to public safety. The meeting covered topics like hiring more RCMP officers and border agents, dealing with foreign interference, and managing offenders. The Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, along with RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme, CBSA President Erin O'Gorman, and CSC Commissioner Talal Dakalbab, answered questions from committee members. During the meeting, Frank Caputo (Conservative) questioned the Minister about a memorandum of understanding with China and the number of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members in Canada. The Minister faced criticism for not providing direct answers. Sima Acan (Liberal) focused on the recruitment of new RCMP and CBSA personnel and how funding would support these initiatives. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc Québécois) raised concerns about budget cuts to the RCMP and their impact on border security. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) questioned the effectiveness of the government's gun confiscation program and its cost. Committee members also discussed specific cases, such as the temporary release of a convicted murderer, and broader issues like the well-being of correctional officers. The CBSA president discussed efforts to increase weekly removals of individuals with outstanding immigration warrants. The committee agreed to merge two studies related to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) into one study, with the first meeting scheduled for March 26, 2026. The meeting ended with discussions on foreign interference and the challenges faced by the Correctional Service of Canada.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss how Canada handles removing foreign nationals who have committed crimes. The committee heard from Steve Watson, a manager from New Zealand's immigration department, who shared how New Zealand deals with deportations. He explained that New Zealand prioritizes removing foreign criminals and those who pose a high risk to the community. They work closely with other agencies like the police and corrections to share information and deport people quickly, sometimes right after they leave prison. Watson said New Zealand focuses on managing cases well, especially for lower-priority deportations. They encourage people to leave on their own and may offer the chance to return to New Zealand in the future if they cooperate. He also mentioned that New Zealand shares information with other countries, especially those in the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, to screen people and prevent potential security threats from entering the country. Committee members asked Watson about various topics, including how New Zealand handles uncooperative countries, screens for security threats, and protects vulnerable migrants from exploitation. They also discussed data sharing between agencies and the balance between public safety and human rights. Watson offered to answer further questions by email, showing New Zealand's willingness to help Canada improve its deportation processes.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss how Canada handles foreign nationals with criminal records. The committee wanted to find ways to stop criminals from entering Canada and to improve the process of deporting those who are already here. Peter German, from the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform, spoke about the need for more resources for the RCMP and better border security. He suggested that Canada is an attractive place for criminals because of its openness and strong legal rights. He also talked about the importance of prioritizing the removal of high-risk individuals and working together between police and border services. Committee members discussed issues like the use of students at the border, bail reform, and the challenges of dealing with transnational crime. They also talked about proposed laws that could help with these issues. The committee agreed to study the policies around conditional releases for offenders and also to study how to improve emergency preparedness in Canada.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to discuss and revise a proposed law about cybersecurity (Bill C-8). The committee reviewed the proposed law section by section, considering and voting on several suggested changes (amendments). Witnesses from Public Safety, Industry, and the Communications Security Establishment were present to answer questions about the proposed law. Committee members debated changes to sections about ministerial responsibilities, review periods for the law, and how personal information is handled. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) proposed several amendments to clarify definitions and reporting requirements, while Jacques Ramsay (Liberal) introduced amendments to ensure consistency with privacy laws and address industry concerns. Some amendments were adopted, such as those clarifying the definition of internal audits and protecting solicitor-client privilege. Some proposed changes were rejected, including one that would have required informing the Privacy Commissioner of privacy breaches. The committee also discussed the need for consultation with industry stakeholders and provinces when developing regulations. Ultimately, the committee completed its review of the proposed law and agreed to report it, with amendments, to the House of Commons. Near the end of the meeting, Sukhman Gill (Conservative) introduced a motion expressing concern about rising extortion rates and calling for tougher measures to combat organized crime. However, the committee adjourned before a vote could be held on this motion. The committee will meet again to discuss the motion on extortion and other matters.