The Canadian government is considering Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, which significantly expands surveillance powers under the guise of border security. The bill would allow Canadian police and intelligence agencies to access extensive personal data—including online account details and communication patterns—without a warrant and on a low threshold of “reasonable suspicion.” It also permits encryption backdoors and mandates tech companies to comply with surveillance orders, while granting them immunity from lawsuits. Critics warn this bill undermines decades of privacy protections and constitutional rights, affecting all Canadians using internet services.

Moreover, Bill C-2 facilitates cross-border data sharing, particularly with U.S. law enforcement under a potential CLOUD Act agreement. This would enable U.S. agencies to secretly demand Canadians’ private data without user notification, potentially extending surveillance to sensitive areas like abortion access or political activism. The bill’s broad powers could also expose Canadians’ data to authoritarian foreign governments. Civil liberties groups, legal experts, and organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation strongly oppose Bill C-2, urging the Canadian government to withdraw it to protect privacy and human rights.