Backdoors, Borders, and Bill C-2

In this episode of Secure Line, Jess, Steph, and Leah dive into the Strong Borders Act—Bill C-2—an omnibus bill that stretches far beyond its title. While marketed as a measure to curb fentanyl and strengthen Canada’s borders, the legislation also proposes sweeping changes to immigration, refugee processes, anti–money laundering powers, and surveillance authorities. Leah takes the lead by unpacking Parts 14 and 15 of the bill, which expand lawful access, information sharing, and production orders.The conversation explores Canada’s fraught history with lawful access reforms, the ongoing clash between government security goals and civil liberties advocates, and the potential consequences for privacy, oversight, and professional-client relationships. From IP addresses as “breadcrumbs” in investigations to backdoor legislation and the risks of placing too much responsibility on service providers, the hosts break down what’s at stake. They also connect the debate to international agreements like the U.S. CLOUD Act and the Budapest Convention.With oversight gaps, broad applicability, and the potential to affect everyone from telcos to small service providers, the episode asks whether Bill C-2 gets the balance between liberty and security right—or if Canada is once again repeating old mistakes under a new name.