Civil-rights groups are planning a summer-long campaign to raise awareness about a proposed law they say would force Internet companies to spy on their users.

The law, called Lawful Access, would ask Internet service providers to implement technology that would intercept Internet communications of their customers. It would also require ISPs to give up basic identity information about their subscribers to law enforcement officials without a warrant.

The law has been proposed in one form or another since 2002, but now it appears it will be included in an omnibus bill of tough-on-crime measures the Conservatives have pledged to table in the first 100 days of their mandate.

Among those concerned by the proposed law is Canada's privacy commissioner.

"We have not yet seen a demonstrable need for the extent of access to personal information by law enforcement and national security authorities by the legislation that was introduced in the last parliament session," said Chantal Bernier, the assistant privacy commissioner. "We believe any measure that seeks to put more personal information in the hands of government in general must be justified."

She said the office is concerned by the potential for abuse of power, especially since the proposed law doesn't require authorities to get a warrant in order to obtain information, and has an internal control governed by the individual law enforcement bodies.

The Net neutrality lobby group Open Media has embarked on a public awareness campaign about the proposed law.

Labelled "stop spying," 35,000 people have already signed a petition calling for the law to be scrapped, or at least dramatically changed.

Reached Tuesday, the public safety ministry issued an emailed statement about the legislation.

"This government is committed to providing law enforcement and national security agencies with the tools they need to prevent, investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including terrorism, in today's modern and fast-paced technological environment," the note read.

Steve Anderson, the national coordinator of Open Media, said more than just an infringement on personal liberties, the law could also hit Canadians in the wallet.

"The ISPs will have to invest millions of dollars in online surveillance technology that the government could then use without a warrant," Anderson said.

Marc Chopra, the director of communications for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, which represents service providers said he is concerned about potential costs. He said it's unclear what technology the government would want to implement.