Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up ‘lawful access’ bill

OTTAWA — The Conservatives are accusing the federal government of trying to ram through a bill to help police and spies after the Liberals warned they would take steps to speed up committee scrutiny of the legislation.

The Liberals say the bill will ensure law enforcement agencies have the legal tools to prevent and investigate modern crime while respecting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Opponents argue the proposed legislation unnecessarily expands the powers of police and intelligence agencies, endangers privacy, flouts the Charter and makes Canada less attractive to business.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree today accused the Conservatives of using stalling tactics to delay study of the bill by the House of Commons public safety committee.