Here's what the Liberals' new bill on 'lawful access' for police and spies would do

Confirmation of service demand: The bill would require internet and phone companies to tell authorities whether they provide a service to a particular person or account number.

A government background document says this could help police in situations where they suspect a crime has been committed, or will be committed, but need first to identify an individual’s service provider before getting a warrant or production order.

The document cites a scenario of police identifying a phone number associated with a possible human tracking offence.

It says that, under the proposed law, police could contact a service provider to determine whether it has supplied a service to a specific person or account.

If the answer was no, the police request would end. If the provider said yes, police would have confirmation that a service provider may have information relevant to their investigation.

Subscriber information production order: The legislation would allow authorities to obtain subscriber information from telecommunications companies, such as names, addresses, phone numbers and services provided.

The government background document says that could help police conducting an investigation to find out who is behind an account.

It says police would apply in court for a subscriber information order on the basis that the information would help their investigation. If the application was granted, police could then ask the service provider to hand over the information. If the court denied the application, the process would end.

Securing access to information: The bill would require key telecommunication service providers to develop and maintain technical capabilities aligned with international standards so that they are able to respond to requests from police and CSIS quickly and accurately.

The bill would give the public safety minister the power to order electronic service providers to develop specific capabilities.

A government background document suggests that if, for example, CSIS receives a warrant to track a person-of-interest’s cellphone in a terrorism probe and is told the electronic service provider doesn’t have the tech to track the device, it could be forced to resort to costly and risky in-person surveillance.

Under the bill, the government would have the authority to make regulations requiring that electronic service providers develop and maintain location tracking capabilities.

The bill would also create enforcement tools to ensure compliance and give the minister the power to apply penalties for non-compliance.

Chief of the Ottawa Police Service Eric Stubbs stood alongside Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Justice Minister Sean Fraser at a press conference about the bill Thursday.

Stubbs said the policing community is “very pleased” with the government’s plan to modernize the law on lawful access.

“The reality is that crime has changed faster than the laws and processes that police rely on to investigate it,” said Stubbs. “When timely access to data is delayed, so is our ability to protect victims.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2026. 

— With files from Jim Bronskill