Liberals Seek to Expedite Passage of Lawful Access Bill

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree speaks during a press conference at Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa on March 12, 2026. The Canadian Press/Spencer ColbyThe federal government is planning to quickly push its lawful access bill through the House of Commons with a motion that curtails committee review and debates.The government placed a motion on the June 16 Notice Paper to limit the public safety committee’s meeting later in the day to just 30 minutes for clause-by-clause review of Bill C-22. The committee will then vote on the remaining amendments without “further debate.” Bill C-22 would allow law enforcement to require a telecommunications provider to confirm whether it provides services to a specified person or account on “reasonable grounds” that a crime has been or will be committed. Police could then seek judicial authorization for a production order to obtain subscriber information relevant to an investigation.The second part of the bill would also require certain electronic service providers to retain specified metadata for up to one year and would compel telecommunications and online service providers to grant authorities access to user data.The government has said the bill would give law enforcement agencies more legal tools to respond to modern forms of crime in a way that is compliant with the Charter, while the Conservative Party has raised concerns that the second part of the bill would infringe on privacy rights.