The federal government has introduced an omnibus bill that would significantly change how Canada Post operates in criminal investigations, granting law enforcement agencies expanded authority to search mail and combat cross-border organized crime, illegal fentanyl trafficking, money laundering and the refugee claims backlog.
Titled the Strong Borders Act, the proposed legislation would amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove barriers that currently prevent police from searching mail during criminal investigations. It would also expand Canada Post’s own inspection authority to open mail under certain circumstances. These changes are designed to help law enforcement address the trafficking of illegal drugs and contraband through the mail system, which has been a growing concern for both Canadian and U.S. authorities.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the bill is essential for protecting communities and strengthening cross-border cooperation. “The Strong Borders Act will help us tackle organized crime and further equip our border and law enforcement agencies with the authorities and resources they need to keep our border secure – for both American and Canadian communities,” Anandasangaree said in a statement Tuesday.
Beyond changes to the Canada Post Corporation Act, the bill also proposes to:
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Enhance the RCMP’s ability to share information on registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement;
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Introduce new rules to limit asylum claims during sudden surges;
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Improve the asylum claims process to better handle large volumes;
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Strengthen the ability to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents, or to pause accepting new applications; and
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Improve information sharing between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and federal, provincial and territorial partners.
The legislation would also amend the Criminal Code and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to give law enforcement agencies easier access to key data. Updates to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act would ensure that CSIS’s investigative tools keep pace with evolving threats. Additionally, electronic service providers would be required to comply with legally authorized requests to access or intercept information for criminal and intelligence investigations.
These changes, especially those involving Canada Post, highlight the government’s push to modernize mail security and strengthen the legal framework to counter fentanyl and other illicit drugs moving across Canada’s borders. The bill follows earlier measures, including enhanced border surveillance and targeted enforcement initiatives, as part of the federal effort to address these urgent challenges.