Canada ramps up spy agency powers

MPs have passed a bitterly opposed anti-terror law dramatically expanding the powers and reach of Canada's spy agency, allowing it to operate overseas for the first time.

The move comes in response to the first terror attacks on Canadian soil last October, when a gunman killed a ceremonial guard and stormed parliament, as well as a soldier being run over in rural Quebec.

A large number of critics - including celebrated author Margaret Atwood - have vehemently decried bill C-51 as an unprecedented assault on civil rights, saying it lacks oversight and is overly broad.

It criminalises the promotion of terrorism, makes it easier for police to arrest and detain individuals without charge and expands the Canadian Security Intelligence Service's (CSIS) mandate from intelligence-collection to actively thwarting terror plots and spying outside Canada.

Ottawa said the new measures are also needed to stem a tide of young Canadian men and women travelling abroad to join the Islamic State extremist group.

At least six Canadians have died over the last two years fighting alongside extremists in Syria and Iraq.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Tory majority in the House of Commons assured its passage, in a 183 to 96 vote, after several failed opposition attempts to water it down.

It will now likely be granted royal ascent in June.