Dhillon backs Bill C-22's framework for investigative powers
Baltej Singh DhillonCanadian senator for British Columbia and sponsor of Bill C-22
Dhillon argues that Bill C-22 provides a framework for investigative powers bounded by law, independent authorization and review.
“Our responsibility is to build a Canadian framework that responds to genuine investigative needs and complies with our Charter, our legal traditions and our commitment to cybersecurity. Law enforcement and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS, must be able to adapt, but that adaptability must remain bound by law, independent authorization and meaningful review. Bill C-22 provides a framework for that work.”
Original text
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Canada's Bill C-22: Dhillon backs lawful access; Simons warns of security risks
Senator Baltej Dhillon defends the lawful-access framework in Part 2 of Bill C-22. Senators Paula Simons and Yuen Pau Woo question its privacy, cybersecurity and oversight safeguards. The House-passed text lets the federal cabinet require designated providers to keep categories of metadata for up to six months. As of October 24, 2026, the bill was before a Senate committee and was not law.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
The debate contains competing evaluations of capability obligations, metadata retention, cybersecurity and oversight.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Official statement
About this source
The government defends the amended framework, including a six-month maximum and separate legal authorization to obtain information.
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Dhillon compares Canada's proposed framework with those of other Five Eyes countries.
After the quotation
He says Canadians expect both effective security measures and protection for privacy, cybersecurity and Charter rights.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns Bill C-22's compulsory lawful-access capabilities and retention framework. Dhillon endorses the bill as a framework for investigative powers governed by legal limits, independent authorization and review.
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More from this case
Read the full caseWoo says the government has not justified the added risks
“I do not believe it has yet done so.”Read statement
Simons warns Bill C-22's compelled capabilities would weaken cybersecurity
“no way to create a secret passage”Read statement
Diab questions whether the retention amendment meaningfully narrows the power
“This is still a power to order the retention of almost everyone’s metadata without individualized suspicion for a significant period of time.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Dhillon backs Bill C-22's framework for investigative powers". First published: 2026-10-25. Last updated: 2026-10-25. https://disputeindex.com/events/6720-dhillon-argues-that-bill-c-22-provides-a