Simons warns Bill C-22's compelled capabilities would weaken cybersecurity
Paula SimonsCanadian senator for Alberta
Simons criticizes the security consequences of compulsory capabilities.
“no way to create a secret passage”
Original text
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.
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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)Before the quotation
Simons argues that an access route built for investigators could also be used by hostile actors.
After the quotation
She argues that weakening encryption exposes systems to hackers, including autonomous AI agents.
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 Part 2's proposed mandatory capabilities, metadata retention and safeguards. Simons criticizes the security consequences of compulsory capabilities.
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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
Dhillon backs Bill C-22's framework for investigative powers
“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.”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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- Simons warns Bill C-22's compelled capabilities would weaken cybersecurity
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The Dispute Index. "Simons warns Bill C-22's compelled capabilities would weaken cybersecurity". First published: 2026-10-25. Last updated: 2026-10-25. https://disputeindex.com/events/6721-simons-criticizes-the-security-consequences-of-compulsory-capabilities