Production orders and warrants
Under the Criminal Code, police must obtain judicial authorization for most investigative steps involving your private information, including:
- Production orders to compel a company to hand over records.
- General warrants for novel investigative techniques.
- Part VI authorizations for intercepting private communications.
- Tracking warrants for device location data.
Charter protections at play
Section 8 (unreasonable search), section 7 (life, liberty, security of the person), and section 10(b) (right to counsel) all protect against improper privacy intrusions in criminal investigations.
Access to your own file
You can request access to a police file about yourself under the applicable provincial law (e.g., MFIPPA in Ontario). Access may be refused if disclosure would harm an ongoing investigation or reveal confidential informants.