After consistent increases since 2021, admissions to N.W.T. jails shot up this year

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-11-03 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Social Services]

Data from the Northwest Territories Department of Justice Corrections Service Annual Reports reveals that jail admissions across the territory surged to 901 in 2025-26, marking a significant increase from 616 admissions in 2024-25. Consequently, the North Slave Correctional Complex in Yellowknife has exceeded its designed capacity of 148, holding 163 inmates in late October and resorting to triple-bunking. Department officials attribute the multifaceted increase to factors including court decisions, crime rates, sentence lengths, remand admissions, and territorial and federal legislative changes, while recorded use of force incidents by corrections staff rose from six in 2021-22 to 30 in 2025-26.

S-8 (45-1) - Combatting Financial Crimes and Drug Trafficking Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-11-03 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Finance, Governance]

Bill S-8, titled the Combatting Financial Crimes and Drug Trafficking Act, was introduced and read for the first time in the Senate on November 3, 2026, by Senator Pierre Moreau. Sponsored as a Senate Government Bill during the 45th Parliament, 1st Session, the legislation addresses measures related to the proceeds of crime, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion, and the detection of non-mailable matter transmitted by post. The bill is currently at second reading in the Senate.

Privacy watchdog urges Senate to further amend Liberals' controversial lawful access bill

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-11-02 23:20:09.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Technology, Governance]

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne and Intelligence Commissioner Simon Noël urged the Senate's national security committee to further amend the Liberal government's Bill C-22, a lawful access bill that lowers the legal threshold for law enforcement and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to obtain basic subscriber information from 'reasonable grounds to believe' to 'reasonable grounds to suspect'. Dufresne warned that the broad definition of subscriber information threatens privacy expectations across sensitive sectors like health care, legal services, and financial institutions, while tech giant Apple argued the legislation undermines encryption and cybersecurity features. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree defended the bill during committee testimony, emphasizing that investigators require faster access to critical information, alongside amendments introduced in June that reduced metadata retention periods to six months and added decryption limits.

Feds defend extradition treaty talks with UAE amid concerns

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-11-02 21:34:30.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Justice, Public Safety, Defence, Economy]

The federal government is defending its decision to initiate negotiations on an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty with the United Arab Emirates, alongside a newly signed free-trade agreement and potential investments up to $70 billion. Civil society organizations, including Inter Pares and Amnesty International Canada, have raised serious human rights concerns regarding the UAE's record of arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, and alleged geopolitical support for militia conflicts in Sudan. Department of Justice spokesperson Kwame Bonsu defended the treaties, stating they will enhance international cooperation in prosecuting serious cross-border crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

Financial intelligence agency slow to provide police with info to curb money laundering: AG

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:19:17.0
Tags: [National, Finance, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

A federal auditor general report tabled in the House of Commons reveals that the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) takes an average of about four months to provide financial intelligence to law enforcement agencies. Half of the surveyed police and law enforcement respondents reported receiving FINTRAC intelligence too late to be useful for freezing assets, intercepting transactions, or apprehending suspects. The auditor general concluded that inadequate tools and processing delays hinder FINTRAC from effectively carrying out its mandate to detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing.

Privacy commissioner investigating provider behind Crime Stoppers data breach

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-28 14:44:48.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Technology]

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne has launched an investigation into Navigate360, the U.S.-based commercial provider managing the P3 tip platform used by Crime Stoppers programs across Canada, following a cybersecurity breach. The breach, which occurred between November 21, 2025, and March 5, 2026, compromised 176,859 tips submitted to the software, exposing sensitive personal details including names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses. In response, several Canadian police forces, including Toronto Crime Stoppers—where 12,392 of the affected submissions potentially contained personal information—have temporarily suspended their use of the platform pending security assessments and regulatory compliance checks under federal private-sector privacy law.

Privacy commissioner to investigate Canadian Crime Stoppers breach

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 20:18:31.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Technology]

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne has opened an investigation into Navigate360, a U.S. third-party vendor hired by Crime Stoppers chapters worldwide, following a data breach that compromised over 1.5 million Canadian tips spanning 25 years. Approximately 850,000 of the leaked tips included personally identifiable information. The probe will examine the security safeguards Navigate360 had in place to determine compliance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), while highlighting a legal gap regarding the law's applicability to not-for-profit organizations like the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.

Reminder: Firearms Amnesty Extended Beyond October 30 Expiry Date

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-23 22:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

The Government of Canada has extended its federal firearms amnesty period beyond the previously scheduled expiry date of October 30, 2026, tying the new deadline to 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada renders its decision on appeals challenging the May 2020 firearms prohibitions. The amendment covers amnesty orders associated with federal bans implemented in May 2020, December 2024, and March 2025, protecting affected individuals and businesses from criminal liability while maintaining compliance. In response, the Saskatchewan Firearms Office continues to provide provincial support through its Firearms Verification and Appraisal Service, offering firearm verification, certificates of exemption, and appraisals for affected owners and businesses navigating the federal regulations.

Top court will hear appeal on ruling that found feds violated Charter during convoy protest

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 16:08:52.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Emergency, Governance]

The Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear an appeal regarding a 2024 Federal Court ruling—later upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal in January 2026—which found that the federal government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau infringed the Charter rights of Freedom Convoy participants when it invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022. The lower courts ruled that the Liberal cabinet lacked reasonable grounds and a legal basis to believe the protests posed a national security threat. This legal challenge contrasts with the findings of the 2023 Public Order Emergency Commission led by Commissioner Paul Rouleau, which concluded that the government had met the high legal threshold required to invoke the act.

S-242 (45-1) - Georgina’s Law

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-21 17:30:09.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Bill S-242, titled Georgina’s Law and sponsored by Senator Fabian Manning, is a Senate Public Bill proposing an Act respecting national action for the prevention of intimate partner violence. The bill completed third reading in the Senate on February 24, 2026, and subsequently reached the House of Commons for first reading on May 27, 2026. It is currently undergoing debate at second reading in the House of Commons as of October 21, 2026. This legislation builds on similar efforts from the previous parliamentary session, notably Bill S-249 from the 44th Parliament.

Group assisting long-planned review of firearms — including SKS — has yet to meet

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 12:38:55.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Indigenous]

The federal Firearms Classification Technical Advisory Group, appointed to support a review of firearm classifications including the SKS rifle, has yet to hold its first meeting nearly a year after Ottawa announced the review in December. Public Safety Canada confirmed the advisory panel is expected to convene in the fall, amid renewed political debate following the use of an SKS rifle in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The review, led by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and supported by Prime Minister Mark Carney, involves consultations with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities regarding the SKS rifle's use in subsistence hunting.

C-293 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (violent home invasion)

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-20 10:02:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Private Member's Bill C-293, titled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (violent home invasion), was introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament Michael Guglielmin for Vaughan—Woodbridge. The legislative initiative aims to amend the Criminal Code of Canada specifically regarding the offense of violent home invasions. As of its introduction on October 20, 2026, the bill is currently outside the Order of Precedence and awaits second reading in the House of Commons.

S-252 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (consent to pornographic material)

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Senator Yonah Martin introduced Senate Public Bill S-252, entitled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (consent to pornographic material), during the 45th Parliament, 1st session. The bill received its first reading in the Senate on October 20, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Criminal Code of Canada regarding provisions surrounding consent to pornographic material. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate.

Conservative MP says foreign influence registry 'in shambles,' calls for minister to appear before committee

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-09 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Public Safety, Governance, Justice]

Conservative MP Michael Cooper is demanding that Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree appear before a parliamentary committee following revelations that Canada's newly established Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada, led by Commissioner Anton Boegman, has achieved a compliance rate of only two entries and 30 late submissions against an initial Public Safety Department estimate of 2,422 expected registrants. The registry, mandated by federal legislation adopted in 2024 and taking effect on August 4, 2026, has also experienced technical outages due to its implementation as a minimum viable product and two privacy breaches. Furthermore, watchdog oversight gaps have emerged concerning prior cross-border meetings involving Alberta sovereignty campaigners and U.S. entities, which Commissioner Boegman stated do not fall under his mandate because they predated the registry's enactment, drawing sharp criticism from former NDP MP Charlie Angus.

Yukon gun enthusiasts like the idea of an official Yukon firearms advocate

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-08 23:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Yukon Justice Minister Laura Lang tabled the proposed Yukon Firearms Act in the Yukon Legislative Assembly to establish an independent firearms advocate to promote gun ownership and safety in response to federal firearms legislation and buyback programs. The legislation aims to provide an independent voice for Yukon gun owners, advise the territorial government on federal policy impacts, and promote public safety. As of June, 135 firearms had been declared in the Yukon under the voluntary federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. Opposition NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson criticized the legislation and government priorities, questioning the independence of the position and arguing that government resources should instead target ongoing local crises like the substance use emergency.

RCMP union raises concerns Liberals' proposed financial crime agency will hurt Mounties

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-08 19:30:22.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Labour, Finance]

Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation representing approximately 20,000 RCMP members, testified before a parliamentary committee regarding Bill C-29, which proposes the establishment of a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency (FCA). Farrer expressed concern that the new agency—intended to tackle money laundering and online fraud by operating as a separate police organization with its own commissioner—will siphon off 150 experienced RCMP personnel and worsen existing recruitment, retention, and under-resourcing issues within the national police force. The union urged that any funding for the FCA should be entirely new rather than reallocated from the RCMP, and that assigned Mounties must be backed by qualified replacements with a clear transition plan to protect ongoing investigations and accountability structures.

C-22 (45-1) - Lawful Access Act, 2026

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-08 10:40:00.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

Bill C-22, titled the Lawful Access Act, 2026, was introduced in the House of Commons by the Minister of Public Safety and advanced to second reading in the Senate on October 8, 2026. The legislation aims to provide law enforcement agencies with new tools to investigate threats and access information under the Criminal Code. Following first reading on March 12, 2026, and committee review by the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU), the bill passed third reading in the House of Commons on June 18, 2026, before moving to the Senate.

C-292 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (victim protection)

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-08 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Member of Parliament Anna Roberts (King—Vaughan) introduced Private Member's Bill C-292, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (victim protection), during the 45th Parliament, 1st session. The bill received its first reading in the House of Commons on October 8, 2026. The legislative text is currently outside the Order of Precedence and the full bill text has not yet been published.

Yukon to appoint firearms advocate so gun owners can 'continue to be heard'

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-08 00:37:21.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Yukon Justice Minister Laura Lang tabled the proposed Yukon Firearms Act in the Legislative Assembly, establishing an independent firearms advocate to represent gun owners and advise the territorial government on federal legislation. The initiative responds to the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, under which 135 firearms have been declared in the territory as of June. The appointed advocate will serve a term of up to two years, submit annual reports, and act as a direct contact for firearms owners, businesses, and organizations. Public consultation on the framework showed 53.7 percent support among 226 online survey respondents, alongside 28.4 percent strong opposition regarding public expenditure.

C-231 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-06 17:46:36.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

Private Member's Bill C-231 (45th Parliament, 1st Session), sponsored by Member of Parliament Luc Berthold representing Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière, proposes amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The bill successfully passed second reading in the House of Commons on April 15, 2026, with a unanimous recorded vote of 327 to 0, was subsequently studied and reported back with amendments by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on June 1, 2026, and is currently undergoing debate at third reading following report stage concurrence on October 6, 2026.