QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Cybersecurity
May 5, 2026
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Moreau, fraud losses in Canada exceeded hundreds of millions of dollars last year, increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and sophisticated cyber-schemes. What additional consumer protection measures are being developed to better safeguard Canadians?
Yes, thank you for the question. The use of “deepfakes” for the purpose of fraud is already an offence under the Competition Act. It is illegal to use deceptive marketing to sell a product, whether or not AI is used.
In the Spring Economic Update 2026, the government increased the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre’s ability to detect, deter and disrupt illicit financing of extortion and fentanyl trafficking with $17.9 million in additional funding. In the update, the government is providing the proposed financial crimes agency with the resources needed to successfully deliver on its mandate — almost $500 million over the next five years — to fund the agency and to increase funding for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
Thank you for that answer.
Given the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and digital fraud techniques, does the government believe that Canada’s current legislative and regulatory framework is adequately equipped to respond to these emerging threats? If not, what timeline exists for modernization efforts and what you mentioned in the first part of your answer?
Starting this year, the national cybercrime and fraud reporting system, or NCFRS, will simplify how Canadians report fraud and cybercrimes, making the RCMP better equipped to combat these threats.
In addition, in creating the new financial crimes agency, tabled under Bill C-29, we will have this agency to lead the fight against sophisticated financial crimes, as well as unit experts on investigations, and to ensure penalties are sufficient.
