The legislation gives Canada’s innovation minister a bigger role in protecting national security, but analysts are decrying the secrecy inherent in the bill
The federal government has tabled legislation that seeks to give Ottawa broad powers over telecommunications service providers, including barring equipment – such as that made by Chinese flagship Huawei – as well as the power to keep any measures they take secret.Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino assured journalists on Tuesday that the government would not use the law to fine media outlets for reporting on these confidential measures if they learned of them.
The measure would be used only when necessary to secure the Canadian telecommunications system, including against the threat of interference, manipulation or disruption, the government said. Telecoms have until June 28, 2024, to remove existing 5G equipment and managed services provided by Huawei and ZTE from their networks, and until Dec. 31, 2027, to remove 4G gear and services from those suppliers.
Mr. Mendicino said the government does not plan to use C-26 to fine journalists who might break stories on secret measures. “That’s not the intent,” he said. The secrecy rules are to prevent the unlawful disclosure of measures “that could be injurious to national security” or reveal corporate trade secrets, Mr. Mendicino said.
She said laws such as the Telecommunications Act, which is being modified by C-26, were never intended as national security tools, but they are becoming that given economic security challenges.
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