Latest News About Bill C-22

Here’s the latest overview of Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, based on recent public reporting and Parliament activity through May 2026.

Direct answer

• Bill C-22 remains under active debate in the House of Commons as of spring 2026, with renewed scrutiny and a referral to committee for detailed study. Several civil liberties and privacy groups have opposed the bill and are urging its withdrawal or substantial amendments.[3][4]

Key developments

• Parliament status: C-22 (45-1) has progressed to committee stage after second reading and referral, signaling ongoing examination by MPs and witnesses. This is the current procedural status in 2026.[4]
• Core concerns: Critics argue C-22 expands government surveillance capabilities, lowers the threshold for access to Canadians’ data, and could require service providers to retain and share metadata. Supporters frame it as improving national security and public safety.[1][3]
• Civil society response: A coalition of rights and privacy groups has called for full withdrawal or meaningful reform, citing potential privacy and civil liberties implications despite some improvements over earlier versions.[3]
• Public discourse: Various independent analyses and commentary highlight trade-offs between safety justifications and privacy rights, with some sources emphasizing the broader surveillance infrastructure implications.[2][8][9]

What this means for you in London, UK

• If you’re following Canada’s Bill C-22 from abroad, the bill’s trajectory reflects ongoing tensions between security powers and privacy protections in North American policy debates. Canadian stakeholders are pushing for transparency, public consultation, and robust privacy safeguards before adoption.[4][3]

Where to look for official status and primary sources

• Parliament of Canada LEGISinfo page for C-22 (current status and readings).[4]
• OpenParliament and other official parlement sources for debates, committee proceedings, and amendments.[7]
• News and civil-society statements for reactions and legal/constitutional analysis.[1][3]

Would you like a concise side-by-side summary table of proposed powers, privacy safeguards, and notable criticisms drawn from the latest sources, or a briefing tailored to a specific aspect (privacy, legal thresholds, or international comparisons)? I can also pull the most recent parliamentary motion or committee schedule if you want up-to-date timing.