Canada’s New and Irresponsible Encryption Policy: How the Government of Canada’s New Policy Threatens Charter Rights, Cybersecurity, Economic Growth, and Foreign Policy

Tags: 2010s Canada Five Eyes

Authors: Parsons, Christopher

Published: August 2019

URL: https://citizenlab.ca/2019/08/canadas-new-and-irresponsible-encryption-policy-how-the-government-of-canadas-new-policy-threatens-charter-rights-cybersecurity-economic-growth-and-foreign-policy/

Abstract: This article by Christopher Parsons argues that a 2019 Canadian ministerial communique weakens encryption. First, the article provides background on the history of Canadian encryption policy and the 2019 ministerial communique, and how its proposed policy would weaken encryption and require that private companies add backdoors for the Canadian government. Next, the article details the government’s justifications for the policy, and how they fail to justify the weakening of encryption. Finally, the article describes how encryptions promotes freedoms and human rights, and how weakening encryption could harm public safety and cybersecurity, the economy, and foreign policy. This article argues that Canada’s weakening of encryption policy is misguided and will harm individuals, companies, and national interests alike.