The federal Liberals are preparing to introduce a new bill that is anticipated to resemble much of the content in their previously proposed border legislation. However, this new bill will exclude certain clauses that raised concerns from opposition parties and civil liberties groups. The upcoming bill, expected to be presented this week, is a response to criticisms that the Strong Borders Act, Bill C-2, goes beyond its intended objectives and violates the freedoms of Canadians, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Sources indicate that the government is on the verge of unveiling a second bill that will pave the way for the implementation of the government’s border security measures in Parliament. Notably, the controversial clauses that allowed Canada Post to open mail and law enforcement to access specific digital data will be omitted from this new bill. The individuals privy to this plan are not being named by CBC News as they were not authorized to disclose this information.
Introduced in June, Bill C-2 grants expanded powers to law enforcement and government agencies. It includes provisions aimed at combating money laundering, imposing stringent limits on refugee claims, and facilitating easier information sharing among agencies. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, the bill’s sponsor, mentioned earlier that the legislation was partly a response to concerns raised by the United States about the porosity of the Canadian border.
Following the introduction of Bill C-2, privacy and civil liberties experts noted that the over 100-page legislation contains measures that law enforcement agencies have long sought but are not directly related to border security. Various opposition parties, including the NDP and Conservatives, expressed apprehensions about potential overreach and stated they would not support the bill in its current form. This refusal raises questions about the bill’s viability in a minority Parliament.
The forthcoming bill is expected to be featured on the notice paper soon, leading to its tabling in the House of Commons later this week, as per insider information. This development adds to the challenges faced by Anandasangaree, who is already under pressure following criticisms of the Liberal government’s gun buyback program.