Katie Verhoeven

Bill S-256, An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (seizure) and to make related amendments to other Acts. Advocacy related to the legal standard to search Canada Post mail. The policies of the Canada Border Services Agency in relation to the use of digital devices and tools at the border when carrying out CBSA functions. The federal government's role in the operation of the bail system, such as: setting standards for data collection; legislation affecting bail, e.g. amendments to the Criminal Code; and engagement with the provinces/territories on considerations related to the bail system generally, e.g. bail and public safety. The Criminal Code, respecting prospective amendments around provisions concerning penalties for auto theft Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Citizenship Act. Bill S-235:An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Participation in coalition advocating to provide citizenship for survivors of child welfare system and ensure removal orders against such persons are not enforceable. Extradition Act. Letter to the Prime Minister regarding the case of Dr. Hassan Diab and urging the government to review provisions of the Extradition Act. Bill C-63, An Act to enact the Online Harms Act, with respect to the creation of the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, state-compelled limitation on free speech by social media operators, Criminal Code amendments pertaining to hate propaganda and hate motivated offences, introduction of hate speech as a ground of discrimination in federal human rights legislation, and the compliance of the legislation as a whole with expressive freedom, privacy and protest rights. Bill C-48, An act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform). The passage and content of the bill as a whole are subject to lobbying activity, specific provisions where CCLA is advocating amendments can be found in our public brief to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (LCJC). Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act. Lobbying around the private-sector privacy and artificial intelligence portions of the bill, with an intention to make these proposed legislations more respecting of privacy and human rights. Bill C-26, An Act respecting cybersecurity, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. Lobbying around telecommunications and cybersecurity, with an intention of making proposed legislation more respecting of privacy and human rights. Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments. The content of the bill as a whole are subject to lobbying activity, specific provisions where CCLA is advocating amendments can be found in our public brief to the House Standing Committee on Public Safety and Security (SECU). Automated Sequestering of Criminal Records Legislation. The CCLA, as a member of the civil society entity the Fresh Start Coalition, is seeking the introduction of legislation creating legislation to automatically sequester criminal records.

Introduction to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association Meet with new senior officials to provide an introduction to CCLA staff, activities and priorites Bill C-36, An Act to enact the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, respecting the need to include robust restrictions on private-sector handling of personal data and on the adoption and use of artificial intelligence tools to ensure protection of privacy and human rights. Bill C-34, An Act to enact the Digital Safety Act and the Digital Safety Commission of Canada Act, with respect to state-compelled limitations on free speech on social media, generative AI, and other online services, imposition of age verification requirements onto various online services, and compliance of the proposal with freedom of expression and privacy rights. Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures, with respect to legal standards for peace officers/CSIS to obtain information, a proposed regime to require surveillance-enabled digital services, cross-border information sharing (which are also replicated in Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access), and amendments to IRPA that would impact refugee protection and permit categorical cancellation of documents, and which are also replicated in Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. The federal government's adoption of a public registry for its use of artificial intelligence tools, and how to improve the utility of this registry as a government accountability tool. Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, and Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026 with respect to the information privacy framework applicable to federal political parties. Bill C-8, An Act respecting cybersecurity, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. Lobbying around telecommunications and cybersecurity, with an intention of making proposed legislation more respecting of privacy and human rights. Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, and concerns regarding Part 5, Division 5, of that Bill and its proposed introduction of a "Henry the VIII" clause that would empower the government to exempt private and public entities from the application of federal laws. Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act. Charter and civil liberties concerns about the legislation, particularly in relation to impact on s. 11(b) of the Charter. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), and specifically that its new anti-protests provisions risk criminalizing peaceful protestors; its problematic removal of Attorney General consent requirement for hate propaganda charges; that its new standalone hate crime offence is unduly stigmatizing and paves the way to excessive sentences; that its proposed definition of hatred does not align with Supreme Court of Canada precedents; and concerns regarding the addition of a "promotion of terrorism" offence. The civil liberties implications of forced detox under the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, SM 2025, c 49. Consultation on prospective amendments to the Criminal Code related to offences against children. Prospective amendments to the Criminal Code related to mandatory minimum sentences and remedies for violations of s. 11(b) of the Charter. Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material, regarding the privacy implications of a proposed age verification requirement that would be imposed by the Bill on online enti

Advocate for the renewed and long-term funding of the Canada Black Justice Strategy.