The Carney Liberals and Lawful Access

It's the new surveillance act, same as the old surveillance act

This was originally posted on June 10, 2025, on Substack.

The Carney Liberals have introduced a bill that would permanently damage our digital privacy. Like a zombie, the idea of "lawful access" legislation keeps rising from the dead, no matter how many times Canadians have killed it. First introduced by previous Liberal governments in the 2000s, then aggressively pushed by Stephen Harper’s Conservatives as the infamous Bill C-30, this toxic idea is now back, championed by the current Liberal government.

Buried deep inside a massive piece of legislation misleadingly titled the "Strong Borders Act" (Bill C-2) is Part 15: the Supporting Authorised Access to Information Act (SAAIS). Let's call it what it is: the same old Government Surveillance Bill in a new disguise.

A Zombie Bill That Refuses to Die

This isn't a new fight, and it crosses party lines.

• In 2012, the Conservative government introduced Bill C-30, the "Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act"—a cynical title for a bill that would have given authorities warrantless access to your data. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews infamously told opponents they could "either stand with us or with the child pornographers."
• Canadians from all walks of life rose. The backlash was immense and unified. The government was forced to kill the bill completely.
• We won. Canadians across the political spectrum clearly stated that warrantless access and mandated surveillance backdoors have no place in Canada.

Now, the Carney Liberals are trying again, using the classic political tactic of hiding these hugely controversial powers inside an unrelated omnibus bill, hoping we won't notice. But some of us have noticed.

Why We Must Fight Bill C-2 Today

This new Liberal bill shares the same alarming features as its predecessors. If passed, it would:

Force Companies to Build Backdoors

The bill would compel companies, from your messaging app to your email provider, to build the technical tools for police and spy agencies to intercept your communications. While it pays lip service to not creating a "systemic vulnerability," the government gives itself the power to define that term, creating a loophole big enough to drive a surveillance truck through.

Operate in Secrecy

Section 15 of Bill C-2 could impose a permanent gag order on any company served with an order. The company could never tell its users, the media, or the public that it has been forced to become an arm of the state. This is a recipe for a secret law system free from democratic accountability.

Sideline Our Courts

Instead of requiring a judge to approve these intrusive measures, the bill hands that power to a political minister in the Carney government. It’s a blatant power grab by the executive branch, undermining the checks and balances that protect our rights.

Affect Everyone

The bill's scope is so broad that it could apply to nearly any online service you use. With massive fines for non-compliance, no company could afford to resist.

This Is a Defining Moment

The Carney government is betting we've forgotten our history. They are hoping that the “Elbows Up” moment that we are in will distract us from fighting this battle one more time. However, “Elbows Up” is also the right approach to this authoritarian push by the Liberal government. This is not a done deal, and Canadians know that when we stand together, we win.

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:

CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (MP) IMMEDIATELY. This is the most critical thing you can do. You can find your MP on the Parliament of Canada website. Call them. Email them. You don't need to be an expert. Just say:

I am your constituent, and I am calling to demand that you vote NO on Bill C-2. Part 15 of this bill is another attempt to pass 'lawful access' surveillance legislation, just like Bill C-30, which Canadians have already rejected. I do not want the Carney Liberals to pass this bill. It threatens everyone's privacy and digital security in this country.

MOBILIZE YOUR COMMUNITY. Don’t act alone. Are you a member of a union, a professional association, a faith group, or a community organisation? Inform them that the zombie surveillance bill has resurfaced. Ask your organisation to take a public stand against Bill C-2. The more groups that speak out, the stronger our message becomes.

SPREAD THE WORD. Share this post. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues. Use the hashtags #StopBillC2, #StopTheZombieBill, and #ProtectOurPrivacyCA on social media. Remind everyone that we have defeated this threat before and will do it again.

This is our moment to bury this zombie bill once and for all. Let’s ensure every Ottawa MP knows that Canadians will not stand for secret surveillance. Not now, not ever.