Ontario’s Police Leaders Urge Action to Modernize Lawful Access Tools

Ontario’s Police Leaders Urge Action to Modernize Lawful Access Tools

For immediate release: October 16, 2025

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) supports efforts to strengthen Canada’s laws against organized crime, money laundering, and the trafficking of illegal goods through measures in Bill C-12, Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act. These legislative enhancements are essential to protecting Canadians and keeping our communities safe.

However, Ontario’s police leaders continue to call on Parliament to move forward without delay on Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, which focuses on modernizing lawful access tools for police investigations. Current existing federal legislation remains inadequate in addressing evolving public safety needs, as transnational criminal networks continue to exploit gaps in legislation to carry out a variety of illicit activities.

“Technology has changed the way criminals operate. “We need 21^st-century tools to investigate 21^st century crimes — always with strong judicial oversight and respect for Canadians’ privacy rights, said OACP President Chief Mark Campbell. “Retaining modern and advanced lawful interception tools is indispensable for law enforcement agencies who  continue to face technological and judicial challenges in investigations, especially those involving transnational organized crime.”

The OACP urges federal lawmakers to move forward on reforms that include clear and legal safeguards such as judicial authorization, accountability measures, and independent oversight. Modernizing lawful access is not about expanding surveillance or diminishing civil liberties. It is about ensuring that police can, with proper court authorization, obtain vital evidence in complex cases involving cybercrime, child exploitation, organized crime, and other serious offences.

The support of Ontario’s police leadership for Bill C-12 and Bill C-2 mirrors the position of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), as reflected in their most recent statement. This also echoes the OACP’s previous statement in support of Bill C-2, as published on October 2^nd, 2025.

For more information, please contact: 

Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. (416) 919-9798
 E. jcouto@oacp.ca 

Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, national, and  Indigenous police services across Ontario