Reaction from both the Liberals and NDP focus on C-32 digital lock provisions. Liberal critic Marc Garneau told CBC.ca that the bill seemed to be missing an exception that would allow people to break digital locks if it was for private, non-commercial use. Meanwhile, the NDP's Charlie Angus argued "the only rights you will get under this bill are those that U.S.-based entertainment concerns decide you get. If the technological protections override those rights, then you have no rights." Both MPs suggested that fast tracking the bill through summer hearings is not the right approach.
Liberals, NDP Both Focus on C-32 Digital Lock Provisions
June 3, 2010
Share this post
7 Comments

Law Bytes
Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
byMichael Geist

May 11, 2026
Michael Geist
May 4, 2026
Michael Geist
April 27, 2026
Michael Geist
Ep. 265 – Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
April 20, 2026
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Michael Geist on Substack
Recent Posts
How Much Further Will Lawful Access Go?: Police Chief Tells Bill C-22 Hearing That Three Years of Metadata Retention Would Be “Ideal”
Bill C-22’s Groundhog Day: Why the Government’s Dismissal of Signal, Apple and the U.S. Congress Concerns Runs Back the Disastrous Online News Act Playbook
Slick Videos Won’t Save Lawful Access: Why The Government’s Bill C-22 Defence Avoids the Charter, Privacy and Security Concerns Raised By Critics
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
U.S. Congressional Leaders Warn Canadian Lawful Access Plans Harm U.S. National Security and Economic Interests

Well I’m glad to see there are at least two spines in Parliment.
This is good!
Re: Marc Garneau
Allowing private non-commercial use will not criminalize the Canadian populace. This is good solid thought on his part, the sort of stuff that gets you elected:) The Conservatives really dropped the ball on this one!
Re: Charlie Angus
I love it!
Was hopeful for Angus to come out, but having the Liberals speak out on it as well gives me a bit more hope.
Marc Garneau
He seems to always be a level headed politician. Then again, I would not expect anything less from a former Astronaut. Too bad he’s not interested in leading the liberal party.
Marc Garneau hit the nail on the head. I believe the exact line in question is 29.22 1C. Could be mistaken, though.
Extend it t cover all exceptions
If you are going to limit the application of the digital lock provisions, it should apply to any activity allowed by the fair dealing exceptions.
Also, to be effective, the law must not limit the distribution of tools to remove those digital locks.
Kudos to Messrs. Garneau and Angus on these points!