Prices in Canada continue to go up under Mark Carney’s government, and many of them are automatic, meaning that Parliament does not approve them (cost of postage, alcohol, passports etc.) Does this increasing reliance on ‘escalator’ taxes concern you? Let me know here!

Bill C-8: Security at the Expense of Liberty

October 21, 2025

The Liberals’ Bill C-8 would ultimately give the government the power to secretly cancel Canadians’ internet accounts.

As an article on this issue from Blacklock’s explains, “Bill C-8 An Act Respecting Cybersecurity would allow cabinet to ‘prohibit a telecom service provider from using all products and services provided to a specified person’ in the name of cybersecurity. ‘Any threat’ would justify an order.”

As Conservatives pointed out during initial debates on the legislation, C-8 “as it stands would allow the government to deprive individuals of essential services without ever seeing the evidence.”

Without warning, justification or any recourse – based solely on the government’s arbitrary assessment of a ‘threat’ to our telecommunications system – Canadians could be cut off from their email, social media, bank accounts or work portal. 

Clearly a number of aspects of this bill require further study in committee, and we will be calling experts to testify to ensure that there are sufficient guardrails.

Our key concerns with C-8 include:

·         Transparency & accountability: C-8 lacks strong oversight measures, clear retention limits, and restrictions on how collected data can be used or shared — especially with foreign intelligence partners.

·         Warrantless access: provisions could result in inappropriate collection and disclosure of subscriber account information, website visits, and metadata, leaving Canadian’s privacy vulnerable.

·         Secrecy: Provisions allow the government to issue secret orders to telecoms indefinitely, with no mandated disclosure.

·         Overreach: Broad powers could allow surveillance activities well beyond cybersecurity, extending into national security without safeguards.

As Official Opposition, we want to ensure:

·         Appropriate consultations (adequate involvement and consultation with the Privacy Commissioner, the Intelligence Commissioner and other stakeholders in improving the bill)

·         Independent oversight (appropriate judicial oversight and warrants to access personal information must be included)

·         Strong privacy safeguards (ensure incident reports involving personal data are automatically shared with the Privacy Commissioner)

·         Purpose limitations (restrict data use to cybersecurity)

·         Transparency requirements (mandate disclosure of secret orders after a reasonable period and consequences for failing to table reports)

Conservatives will continue to fight for the cyber security protections of all Canadians while making sure they are free from government overreach. I want to assure you that I will continue to oppose these repeated attempts by the Liberal government to infringe on your personal freedoms.