FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2026

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Yesterday, members of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) met with Members of Parliament and Senators on Parliament Hill as part of a coordinated day of advocacy focused on advancing understanding of Bill C-22, the proposed modernization of Canada’s lawful access framework.

Police leaders from across the country highlighted the growing challenges of investigating crime in a digital environment, where critical evidence is often held by third-party service providers, stored across jurisdictions in Canada and abroad, or rendered inaccessible due to technological barriers and delays.

“Because crime is now digitally enabled, enhanced, or partly carried out online, even traditional investigations increasingly depend on timely access to digital data,” said Commissioner Thomas Carrique, President of the CACP. “Bill C-22 improves access to basic information and investigative tools needed in digital investigations, while preserving separate legal processes for more intrusive access to protected content and data.”

Throughout the day, CACP representatives worked to address common misconceptions about the legislation, emphasizing that Bill C-22 does not expand police access to content without authorization, nor does it permit broad or unchecked surveillance, message content access, or unchecked exploratory searches by police. Instead, it introduces targeted tools, such as confirmation of service and streamlined production orders, to support lawful, accountable investigations.

Bill C-22 prioritizes checks and balances by narrowing the scope, limiting the yes/no confirmation tool to telecom providers, and retaining court oversight for access to more personal information. It also includes explicit protections for medical providers and solicitor-client confidentiality.

Canada’s lack of a lawful access capability framework for electronic service providers leaves it behind its Five Eyes partners. While investigators may have legal authority, providers are not obligated to maintain the technical capacity to respond promptly, which results in critical delays and serious risks for public safety.

The CACP’s President went on to say that “Bill C-22 is often misunderstood. It is a carefully structured proposal that introduces targeted, accountable tools to help police conduct lawful investigations in a timely way.”

Police leaders underscored the operational impact of current delays and uncertainties, which can hinder time-sensitive investigations involving serious offences, including child exploitation, organized crime, and threats to public safety. The current system creates uncertainty, delay, and repeat legal steps before usable digital evidence is obtained.

“Our conversations were focused on clarity and understanding,” added Commissioner Carrique. "The objective is balance, We are seeking modern tools that reflect how crime is committed today, alongside clear safeguards that uphold Canadians’ Charter rights.”

The advocacy day reinforced the importance of ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and policymakers to ensure legislation reflects both technological realities and Canadians’ expectations for privacy and accountability.

The CACP appreciated the thoughtful engagement from parliamentarians and senators. There is a shared commitment to ensuring that Canada’s legal framework remains both effective and principled. To this end, the CACP will continue to engage with policymakers to support the timely passage of Bill C-22 to modernize Canada’s lawful access framework and strengthen public safety in the digital era.

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For further information or to arrange a media interview, please contact:

Natalie Wright
Communications Manager
natalie@cacp.ca
613.838.8807