Online & privacyCrime & safety
New cyber security rules
C-8 An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts
Gives the federal government powers to order telecom providers and vital infrastructure operators to secure their cyber systems.
What the law does
The law amends the Telecommunications Act to allow the government to order telecommunications service providers to take actions, or refrain from actions, to secure the telecom system. It also creates the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act, which requires designated operators of federally regulated vital services to set up cyber security programs, address supply-chain risks, report cyber incidents and follow cyber security directions. Both parts include monetary penalties and enforcement measures for non-compliance.
Official summary
Part 1 amends the Telecommunications Act to add the promotion of the security of the Canadian telecommunications system as an objective of the Canadian telecommunications policy and to authorize the Governor in Council and the Minister of Industry to direct telecommunications service providers to do anything, or refrain from doing anything, that is necessary to secure the Canadian telecommunications system. It also establishes an administrative monetary penalty scheme to promote compliance with orders and regulations made by the Governor in Council and the Minister of Industry to secure the Canadian telecommunications system as well as rules for judicial review of those orders and regulations.
Part 2 enacts the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act to provide a framework for the protection of the critical cyber systems of services and systems that are vital to national security or public safety and that are delivered or operated as part of a work, undertaking or business that is within the legislative authority of Parliament. It also, among other things, (a) authorizes the Governor in Council to designate any service or system as a vital service or vital system; (b) authorizes the Governor in Council to establish classes of operators in respect of a vital service or vital system; (c) requires designated operators to, among other things, establish and implement cyber security programs, mitigate supply-chain and third-party risks, report cyber security incidents and comply with cyber security directions; (d) provides for the exchange of information between relevant parties; and (e) authorizes the enforcement of the obligations under the Act and imposes consequences for non-compliance. This Part also makes consequential amendments to certain Acts.
- Kind
- Government bill
- Sponsor
- Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety (Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park)
- Introduced
- in the House of Commons
- Last activity
Where it stands
- ProposedJun 18, 2025
- Being debated
- Almost law
- LawJun 15
Became law June 15
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First reading in the House done
Before the House on 1 sitting day,
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Second reading in the House done
Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Before the House on 2 sitting days, to
2nd reading and referral to committee - SECU: agreed to on division,
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Committee in the House done
Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Before the House on 1 sitting day,
-
Report stage in the House done
Before the House on 1 sitting day,
-
Third reading in the House done
Before the House on 1 sitting day,
3rd reading: agreed to on division,
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First reading in the Senate done
Before the Senate on 1 sitting day,
-
Second reading in the Senate done
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
Before the Senate on 2 sitting days, to
-
Committee in the Senate done
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
Before the Senate on 1 sitting day,
-
Third reading in the Senate done
Before the Senate on 2 sitting days, to
-
Royal assent done
Exact procedural stages
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House
- First reading in the House: done, 2025-06-18
- Second reading in the House: done, 2025-10-03
- Committee in the House: done, 2026-03-11
- Report stage in the House: done, 2026-03-26
- Third reading in the House: done, 2026-03-26
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Senate
- First reading in the Senate: done, 2026-03-26
- Second reading in the Senate: done, 2026-04-23
- Committee in the Senate: done, 2026-06-02
- Third reading in the Senate: done, 2026-06-04
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Royal assent
- Royal assent: done, 2026-06-15
Debates in the House 0
No debate on this bill is in the record we hold yet.
Also raised in 7
Question Period, members' statements and other debates where the bill came up.