Earlier this month, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended the measures, which he said were a key ask by innovators, particularly in the tech sector. But the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said the original language in the bill suggests the powers would go beyond just regulatory sandboxes. “It does not streamline regulation,” said Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, director of the fundamental freedoms program at CCLA. “In my view, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say Bill C-15 contains a serious threat to Canada’s democratic foundations,” said Davies. “However, even as amended, the proposed exemption powers remain anti-democratic and overly broad,” she said.

Source: National Post February 23, 2026 23:04 UTC