Budget 2026: Feds to give CRTC anti-fraud powers under new national strategy

Canada’s telecommunications regulator will soon have the authority to require service providers to implement fraud prevention measures, according to an announcement in the federal government’s new budget. In Budget 2026, tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday, the government disclosed its intention to develop the National Anti-Fraud Strategy to protect Canadians’ financial security from fraudsters who exploit “digital platforms, telecommunications services, and the financial system.” The CRTC’s new authority will come by way of amending the Telecommunications Act, which will also give the commission the ability to “collect and publish information respecting the prevalence of fraudulent telecommunications.” Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) will also be updated under the strategy to give the CRTC authority to “proactively disclose information to domestic law enforcement and/or national security organizations,” according to a policy statement released concurrently with the budget. As it stands, when the CRTC receives spam reports under CASL that include fraud or criminal activity, the commission refers the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The idea for the whole-of-government strategy was first mentioned in Budget 2025, and, following a 30-day public consultation, the strategy is now being developed in collaboration with over a dozen federal departments and agencies. According to the policy statement, the measure’s objectives are to reduce the prevalence of fraud, increase confidence in key institutions, improve clarity for industry on their responsibilities, and protect consumers when fraud occurs. In 2025, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported losses of $704 million, the budget noted, which is expected to represent only five to 10 per cent of actual fraud losses. A legislated multi-sector framework will also be introduced to “enhance fund-related protections for Canadians” across the telecoms and financial sectors, and digital platforms. Under the framework, “organizations will be required to prevent, detect, disrupt, and respond to fraud, and to work with each other, across sectors, to resolve fraud-related complaints.” “Because fraud often crosses many sectors, no single organisation or sector can tackle it alone,” read the policy statement. “A coordinated multi-sector approach that improves information sharing and collaboration is needed to better protect Canadians from fraud.” The framework will consist of “common rules” all scoped-in sectors will be required to follow, along with sector-specific rules. Common rules will include detecting, disrupting, and preventing fraud, and responding to fraud when it occurs. The obligations will be overseen by “sector-focused regulators,” which will be authorized to issue fines and penalties for non-compliance. Canadians will also have access to a dedicated process for resolving fraud complaints in the event an organisation disputes redress claims. A public consultation on draft legislation and amendments will be held in 2027, with the intent of introducing the final legislation before the end of next year. mcollins@thewirereport.ca

Budget 2026: Feds to give CRTC anti-fraud powers under new national strategy

Regulatory |
By Maria Collins
|November 5, 2026

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Budget 2026: Feds to give CRTC anti-fraud powers under new national strategy

Regulatory | By Maria Collins |November 5, 2026

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|November 5, 2026