Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to YES if Bill C-22, titled the "Lawful Access Act, 2026," receives Royal Assent in Canada at any point during the calendar year 2026. It will resolve to NO if the bill does not receive Royal Assent by 11:59 PM ET on December 31, 2026.

The official status of the bill can be verified via the Parliament of Canada’s LEGISinfo website at https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/45-1/c-22. Royal Assent is the final stage of the legislative process in Canada; the market will resolve based on the official record of the bill becoming law.

Background

Bill C-22, introduced in March 2026, is a government bill aimed at "modernizing" lawful access rules for law enforcement in the digital age. It proposes several significant changes, including:

• New Investigative Tools: Creating mechanisms for police to request subscriber information and transmission data, including from foreign entities, and authorizing tracking data collection.

• Electronic Service Provider Obligations: Requiring "electronic service providers" to create capabilities for data interception and retrieval and mandating the retention of metadata for up to one year.

The bill has faced substantial criticism from tech companies, privacy advocates, and some U.S. legislators, who argue it could mandate "backdoors" for surveillance, undermine cybersecurity, and potentially drive tech firms out of Canada. Proponents, including the government, maintain the legislation is necessary to help law enforcement investigate serious digital crimes and align Canada with international security partners. As of May 2026, the bill has passed its first two readings in the House of Commons, and the government has indicated a willingness to consider amendments to address concerns regarding the legislation's intent.

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https://citizenlab.ca/kill-bill-c-22-says-civil-society-to-parliament/