Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has stated that the federal Liberals will need to make significant revisions to their border bill or propose a new piece of legislation to gain support for its passage into law. Poilievre emphasized in an interview with CBC News that the current Bill C-2 must address concerns regarding Canadians’ individual freedoms and privacy to secure approval.
The Strong Borders Act, also known as C-2, was introduced by the Liberal government to address border security issues and to alleviate concerns raised by the Trump administration. While Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon highlighted the bill’s aim to empower law enforcement in maintaining border security, critics, including civil rights groups and privacy experts, have raised objections, suggesting that certain provisions extend beyond the legislation’s intended scope.
The proposed 140-page law grants extensive powers to security and intelligence services, such as expanding mail inspection capabilities and permitting officials to revoke or suspend immigration documents. Additionally, Bill C-2 proposes enabling police to request subscriber information from internet and online service providers.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has expressed reservations about the potential privacy implications of such measures, citing concerns about compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Previously, the Conservatives had voiced apprehensions regarding the bill’s intrusive provisions, with Poilievre confirming that his party will not support the current legislation and urging the Liberals to introduce a new bill instead.
Poilievre emphasized the importance of upholding Canadians’ freedoms and privacy while addressing border security issues. He noted that law enforcement agencies could still conduct searches with proper authorization, emphasizing the necessity of obtaining warrants for activities like inspecting mail.
In a minority Parliament scenario, the Liberals require support from at least one other party to pass bills. The New Democrats, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party have echoed concerns about potential governmental overreach. However, the response from MacKinnon’s office regarding the possibility of substantial amendments to the bill or the introduction of a new legislation remains undisclosed.
