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 rely on telecommunications services every day and need access to reliable and secure networks.

• That is why the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security. It will provide the authority to prohibit the use of high-risk telecommunications suppliers, following appropriate consultations.

• Once the Bill is passed, the government intends to prohibit the use of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunications systems.

• The government encourages all service providers to continue to consider the overall security of the telecommunications system a matter of national interest when making procurement decisions.

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.
To respond to those concerns, the government brought forward Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, in June 2022. Bill C-26 has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (SECD) in fall 2024.
The proposed amendments include mechanisms to prohibit the use of equipment and services from high risk suppliers where necessary to protect the telecommunications system.
On May 19, 2022, the government announced that it intended to implement a series of measures following the adoption of Bill C-26 and consultation with industry:
o The use of new 5G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE will be prohibited, and existing 5G equipment and managed services must be removed or terminated by June 28, 2024.
o Any use of new 4G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE will be prohibited, and any existing 4G equipment and managed services must be removed or terminated by December 31, 2027.
 
o The government expects that telecommunications service providers will cease procurement of new 4G or 5G equipment and associated services by September 1, 2022.
o The government further intends to impose restrictions on Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) equipment used in fibre-optic networks.

• While the government recognizes some telecommunications service providers need to keep on using this equipment, it strongly encourages them to act in a manner that is consistent with the policy statement Securing Canada’s Telecommunications System.