Question Period Note: SECURING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

What is Canada doing to secure its telecommunications system, including from the threat posed by high-risk suppliers?

• Canadians use telecommunications services every day and expect their networks to be reliable and secure.

• The Government of Canada is taking steps to protect the security and reliability of Canadian networks, including prohibiting the use of high-risk telecommunications suppliers.

• Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, would provide the government with the authorities to prohibit the use of high-risk telecommunications suppliers, following appropriate consultations.

• Protecting Canada’s telecommunications system is a matter of national interest, and the government encourages all service providers to consider security when making procurement decisions.

n/a

The Government of Canada undertook an in-depth 5G Security Review. It found that while 5G technology will bring significant benefits and economic opportunities, it will also introduce new security concerns that malicious actors could exploit.
On May 19, 2022, the government announced that it intended to implement a series of measures. To that end, the government brought forward Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, tabled in June 2022. Bill C-26 completed third reading in the Senate in December 2024; however, Parliament was prorogued and a federal election was called before the Bill could receive Royal Assent.
The bill proposed the adoption of a new telecommunications security framework, and subject to consultation with industry, the following measures:
• The use of new 5G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE would be prohibited, and existing 5G equipment and managed services would have to be removed or terminated, originally by June 28, 2024.
• Any use of new 4G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE would be prohibited, and any existing 4G equipment and managed services would have to be removed or terminated by December 31, 2027.
• The government expects that telecommunications service providers will cease procurement of new 4G or 5G equipment and associated services, originally by September 1, 2022.
Recognizing that these authorities proposed under Bill C-26 are crucial to achieving a secure and resilient telecommunications system, the government introduced the almost identical Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, on June 18, 2025. Bill C-8’s proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Act include mechanisms to prohibit the use of equipment and services from high risk suppliers where necessary to protect the telecommunications system, following appropriate consultations.