A strong constitutional framework protects freedom of expression and freedom of the press under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Nevertheless, press freedom organizations have documented persistent gaps between these protections and their application in practice, including arrests, physical attacks, access restrictions, equipment seizures, harassment and other forms of pressure on journalists.
During the reporting period, these concerns increasingly involved legislative and institutional measures affecting access to information, digital privacy, source protection and journalists’ ability to work freely. Journalists also continued to face harassment and police interference, while debate intensified over editorial independence at the public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
In June, the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), the Centre for Free Expression and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression awarded the federal government the Code of Silence Award for its record on access to information. According to Treasury Board data cited by the CAJ, more than 35 percent of federal access-to-information requests were answered after the statutory deadlines during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, representing the lowest on-time performance recorded in published government-wide statistics. CAJ President Brent Jolly described the figures as evidence of a serious deterioration in access to information.
In Ontario, significant amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) came into force in July. The changes exclude from the legislation records held by the premier, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants and their offices, with the exclusion applying retroactively to January 1, 1988. They also extended the standard response period for freedom-of-information requests from 30 calendar days to 45 business days and introduced additional mechanisms for extending deadlines.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario warned that the changes remove such records from the Commissioner’s statutory authority to investigate. The legislation also provides that previously existing access rights to affected records cease, including in certain cases involving requests made before the amendments took effect.
The principal federal legislative development affecting privacy, surveillance and source protection during the period was Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, 2026, introduced on March 12. The bill proposes amendments to several laws governing the collection and production of information during investigations, including measures affecting telecommunications and subscriber information. It passed the House of Commons on June 18 and was subsequently referred to the Senate.
The legislation has raised concerns among journalists and press freedom organizations about the potential impact of expanded access to digital information and the protection of confidential sources. Its implications for journalistic privilege and source protection warrant continued monitoring as Senate consideration proceeds.
Concerns about coordinated harassment of journalists also persisted during the reporting period. A February 2026 investigation by J-Source and the Canada Press Freedom Project documented targeted harassment campaigns against journalists, particularly those covering Israel and Palestine. Editors interviewed for the investigation reported that some pitches concerning Israel and Palestine were rejected preemptively because of concerns about organized backlash. The reports indicate that the chilling effect identified earlier in 2026 continued.
The CAJ also supported calls for anti-SLAPP legislation in Alberta, arguing that journalists and others participating in public debate should not face costly legal proceedings intended to discourage legitimate expression.
A significant judicial development was the trial involving photojournalist Amber Bracken and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Bracken was arrested in 2021 while covering Wet’suwet’en resistance to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. She was detained for three days, and the charges were subsequently dropped. Bracken and The Narwhal were later sued in a case alleging violations of Charter rights, wrongful arrest and detention. The trial began in January 2026 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Canadian press freedom organizations have closely followed the case because of its implications for journalists covering Indigenous land and pipeline protests.
Journalists also reported incidents involving police and crowds while covering demonstrations in Montreal. Independent journalist Natasha Graham was arrested while covering pro-Palestinian protests after reporting that she had been assaulted by protesters. On September 22, a journalist reported being beaten by Montreal police while covering an anti-AI demonstration. The CAJ also documented the assault of TVA journalist Karianne Bourassa while she was covering an anti-mask protest. These incidents underscore continuing concerns about the treatment and safety of journalists covering protests and demonstrations.
Former CBC host and journalist Travis Dhanraj testified on March 10 before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, alleging that he faced disciplinary measures, restrictions on his communications and ultimately pressure to leave the broadcaster after raising concerns about editorial practices. He also described being given a list of approximately 43 to 45 people whom Power & Politics staff were allegedly discouraged from booking. Dhanraj has a pending human rights complaint against CBC; his allegations have not been adjudicated, and CBC has disputed aspects of his claims. His testimony nevertheless renewed debate over editorial independence and diversity of viewpoints at the public broadcaster. Separately, in September, CBC revised its editorial guidelines to allow the use of the term “terrorism” in its own voice in appropriate circumstances, following criticism of its terminology in coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and the September 11 attacks.
The Lawyers for Reporters Canada initiative, launched in December 2025 by the CAJ, the University of King’s College and the Canadian Media Lawyers Association, became operational during the reporting period. The initiative provides pro bono legal assistance to news organizations and journalists, particularly smaller outlets and freelancers without in-house counsel. Its services include pre-publication review, assistance with defamation matters and responses to production orders.
