The Conservative government has introduced multiple pieces of legislation in recent months that affect security, privacy and the power of policy agencies (read our earlier explanations of bills C-13 and S-4, and C-44). The latest, Bill C-51, would beef up the powers of Canada's spy agency (the Canadian Security Intelligence Service), criminalize the promotion of terrorism and provide the RCMP with new powers of preventative arrest.

The Conservatives say the bill is necessary to combat the threat of terrorism, while critics say it constrains too many freedoms in the process.

Here's what you need to know about the legislation.

Last updated May 6: The bill passed its final vote in the House of Commons, setting the stage for it to become law before the summer break.