Canada is embroiled in a domestic spying scandal similar to the United States' turmoil over Edward Snowden, with revelations that the Communications Security Establishment Canada has been snooping on citizens' private communications based on dubious legal authority.
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association claims the Attorney General of Canada violated the Constitution by authorizing CSEC to intercept emails, telephone calls, text messages and other data. The Civil Liberties Association sued the government in B.C. Supreme Court.
Under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act, which amended the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence "may authorize CSEC to intercept private communications for two purposes: for obtaining foreign intelligence or for protecting the computer systems or networks of the Government of Canada from mischief, unauthorized use or interference," the complaint states.
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