OTTAWA – Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is open to amending proposed border security legislation that would make it easier for police to obtain access to information about Canadians.
Anandasangaree told a House of Commons committee today he hopes that with the “right type of amendments,” the legislation will receive parliamentary approval.
The Liberal government split its border security bill in two this week in the hope of passing some measures swiftly while giving Canadians more time to evaluate other, more contentious ones.
Bill C-12, introduced Wednesday, includes several measures from a June bill that would expand the Coast Guard’s role, tighten the immigration and refugee system, enhance information sharing on sex offenders and introduce stronger controls on chemicals used to make illicit drugs.
The government is still pursuing passage of the first bill, C-2, which proposes giving authorities new powers to access personal information and search mail — measures that have drawn intense opposition from civil society groups.
After the committee meeting today, Anandasangaree said he is willing to work with police and civil society to build consensus, adding the government doesn’t want people to feel it is overreaching and violating their rights.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025.
