Police chiefs make renewed push for reboot on cyber surveillance laws

VANCOUVER – Police chiefs across the country are urging Ottawa to bring controversial Internet surveillance legislation back online, arguing investigations are being handcuffed by outdated laws.

Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu says Bill C30 will enable officers to follow the electronic footprints left in crimes involving cell phones and cyber networks by ensuring telecommunications companies quickly provide basic subscriber information.

Chu, who is also the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, says it will also help police intervene in cyber bullying and make it a crime to use social media to injure and harass.

The chief, however, says the section of the bill related to officers’ search capabilities must be clarified so the public is assured their personal information will not be part of inspections.

The legislation sparked national outcry last winter when privacy advocates argued the bill infringed on civil liberties and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews’ own personal life was targeted by an online campaign.

Chu says he fears the bill will die when the Conservatives prorogue Parliament, while a ministry spokeswoman will only say the governing is “thoroughly” reviewing the legislation.