Bill C-26 is an important and complicated piece of legislation that will finally address a core cyber security vulnerability by requiring certain protective actions to be taken. These background notes will provide useful details for FrontLine readers.

C-26 – An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts

On June 14, the federal government introduced Bill C-26 which appears to be aimed at finally putting in place effective regulatory requirements to ensure the ongoing cyber security of Canada's multiple critical infrastructure systems. These new measures will also apparently establish the process to implement (finally) the recently announced ban on Huawei and ZTE from participating in the involvement of the evolving 5G networks in Canada. 

These are critically important issues which FrontLine Security has identified for years. While we welcome the introduction of Bill C-26, the issues involved are complex and thus understanding the details of the Bill is essential. 

For some strange reason, these background notes – which are traditionally clearly posted on the parl.ca web site, and on the Public Safety website – were buried on the general Government of Canada website at www.canada.gc.ca

It took some doing but we finally found them. Attached, for our readers, are links to the relevant documents to support a more in-depth awareness.

Full text of C-26 (House of Commons)

https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-26/first-reading

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-26 (44-1) - First Reading (14 June 2022)
Part 1 amends the Telecommunications Act.
Part 2 enacts the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act and makes consequential amendments to other Acts.

Protecting Critical Cyber Systems (Backgrounder, Public Safety Canada)

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2022/06/protecting-critical-cyber-systems.html

This backgrounder identifies new legislative tools, obligations, and specifies four priority sectors that will be affected.

Overview of the Proposed Changes to the Telecommunications Act (Backgrounder, Public Safety Canada)

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2022/06/overview-of-the-proposed-changes-to-the-telecommunications-act.html

This backgrounder explains the Policy Objective and new powers and obligations afforded by the Bill. The proposed amendments would establish an enforcement regime under which the Minister could designate inspectors to verify compliance or non-compliance with eventual orders.

Government introduces new legislation to protect Canada's cyber security-  (Media Release, Public Safety Canada)

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-introduces-new-legislation-to-protect-canada-s-cyber-security-879328262.html

The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today announced further steps to strengthen Canada's cyber security with the introduction of Bill+C-26, An Act Respecting Cyber Security. This proposed legislation will protect Canadians and bolster cyber security across the financial, telecommunications, energy, and transportation sectors.

LEGISinfo

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-26

This site shows current status as the Bill passes through various parliamentary stages.