Canada’s Liberal government has proposed disturbing legislation that would allow them to open your mail and track your financial transactions above $10,000, effectively declaring war on citizens’ privacy and autonomy under the guise of security.
Key Takeaways
- Bill C-2, introduced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, would prohibit cash transactions over $10,000 and authorize government inspection of personal mail.
- The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has launched a petition against the bill, warning it represents a dangerous expansion of government surveillance.
- The legislation would dramatically increase penalties for non-compliance, with civil penalties up to $4 million for individuals and $20 million for entities.
- Conservatives argue the bill conflicts with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, citing the 2022 freezing of Freedom Convoy supporters’ bank accounts as concerning precedent.
- The bill would enhance FINTRAC’s powers and require all businesses regulated for anti-money laundering purposes to register with the government.
Cash Ban and Mail Inspection: A Dangerous Overreach
Bill C-2, deceptively named the “Strong Borders Act,” represents a significant expansion of government control over Canadians’ personal and financial lives. Introduced for first reading on June 3, 2025, the sweeping legislation contains provisions that would ban cash transactions exceeding $10,000, prohibit anonymous bank accounts, and grant authorities unprecedented power to inspect citizens’ mail. These provisions are buried within a massive bill ostensibly focused on border security but actually encompassing extensive changes to Canada’s legal framework affecting privacy and financial autonomy.
“Restricting the use of cash is a dangerous step towards tyranny,” warns JCCF president John Carpay.
Enhanced Surveillance and Financial Control
The legislation dramatically expands the government’s surveillance capabilities, amending multiple acts to facilitate information sharing between public and private entities. Part 4 of the bill amends the Canada Post Corporation Act to allow mail opening under certain circumstances, while Part 16 enables various entities to collect and use personal information without consent for detecting so-called money laundering activities. The bill would also prohibit the use of anonymous or fictitious names on financial accounts, forcing all citizens into a trackable digital system under the watchful eye of the state.
“Cash means freedom from surveillance: by government, by banks, by credit card companies, and by other businesses,” states the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) would see its power significantly enhanced, with its director becoming a member of the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee. Additionally, all businesses regulated for anti-money laundering purposes would be required to register with FINTRAC, creating a comprehensive database of financial activities. The penalties for non-compliance with these new regulations would be severe – up to $4 million for individuals and $20 million for entities, representing a crushing financial threat for anyone who dares to operate outside this system.
Growing Opposition and Resistance
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has launched a petition against Bill C-2, highlighting the serious threat it poses to individual liberty. They argue that cash transactions ensure privacy and autonomy, protecting citizens from unwarranted surveillance by the government and financial institutions. The Conservative Party of Canada has also voiced strong opposition, pointing out that the bill conflicts with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Many Canadians still remember when the Trudeau government froze bank accounts of Freedom Convoy supporters in 2022, demonstrating how financial control can be weaponized against political dissidents.
“Cash is under attack in Canada. When cash is criminalized, governments, banks, and law enforcement can track and interfere with legitimate purchases and donations,” warns the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).
The bill’s timing and comprehensive nature suggest a coordinated effort to fundamentally transform Canada’s relationship with its citizens, prioritizing control and surveillance over freedom and privacy. With parliamentary debates underway, concerned Canadians are mobilizing to prevent this dangerous legislation from becoming law. The push toward a cashless society represents nothing less than the elimination of the last refuge of financial privacy available to ordinary citizens, and resistance to this government overreach is growing daily across the country.
