Foreign interference bill could have ‘chilling effect’ on freedom of expression, but also praised for economic security benefits

Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, received royal assent on June 20. But the legislation still contains loopholes that allow for secret, foreign interference in nomination contests, political party leadership contests, and elections and policymaking processes, says Democracy Watch's Duff Conacher.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said, with the passage of Bill C-70, that Canada's intelligence and law enforcement personnel will 'now be better equipped to detect, disrupt, and counter foreign interference and take action against those seeking to harm our way of life,' in a Public Safety press release on June 21.

Civil society groups say they are concerned about a possible chilling effect on freedom of association and privacy after the foreign interference bill was passed by Parliament last week, although the Business Council of Canada argues the new legislation could level up Canada...

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