• Live
    • Audio Only
  • google plus
  • facebook
  • twitter
News > World

Amid Concerns, Canada Set to Pass 'Disturbing' Anti-Terror Law

  • People take part in a demonstration in front of the Parliament buildings against Bill C-51, the Canadian government's proposed anti-terror legislation,  April 18, 2015.

    People take part in a demonstration in front of the Parliament buildings against Bill C-51, the Canadian government's proposed anti-terror legislation, April 18, 2015. | Photo: Reuters

Published 6 May 2015
Opinion

Opposition to new far-reaching legislation has been nearly universal, with the Conservative government attacking its critics.

Canada’s Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper is poised to pass anti-terror legislation Wednesday, despite overwhelming concerns about civil liberties from rights organizations, lawyers, and the public in general.

The legislation, known as bill C-51, has been nearly universally panned for being too far-reaching in scope.

As part of Canada's legislative process, a bill must go through a committee where the government and opposition legislators analyze the bill and propose amendments. However, Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who has been vocal about his opposition to bill C-51, said that “the government treated the committee process as theater.”

The Canadian Bar Association also came out strongly against the bill, saying, it puts "the entire Charter into jeopardy, undermines the rule of law, and goes against the fundamental role of judges as the protectors of Canada's constitutional rights," in reference to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which enshrines civil rights in the country.

Former NSA contractor and whistle blower Edward Snowden also warned Canadians of the dangers of the anti-terrorism legislation, saying that the proposed legislation would create a “secret police” force.

The criticism was echoed in an editorial by the right-wing Globe and Mail, who said Stephen Harper “wants to turn our domestic spy agency into something that looks disturbingly like a secret police force.”

Social organizations and activists also warned that the legislation could infringe on the right of Canadians to protest peacefully. Indigenous people in particular are concerned that the bill will target actions taken by them to protect their territories from unwanted resource exploitation.

"This bill disproportionately targets indigenous communities, environmental activists, dissidents, and Muslims, many of whom are already subjected to questionable and overreaching powers by security officials,” stated the The Toronto Coalition to Stop Bill C-51, a grassroots group who helped organize mass protests against the bill. “This bill will make it easier and ostensibly lawful for government to continue infringing upon the rights of peaceful people."

In response to critics, the government made minor changes but opponents maintain these do not address concerns around infringement on rights.

Nonetheless, the Conservative government who hold a majority of seats in the House of Commons, appears determined to force the bill through.

The bill was first proposed shortly after a gunman in Ottawa killed a soldier before running inside parliament buildings. The shooter, who had a history of mental health issues, was eventually shot and killed.

Prime Minister Harper has deliberately tried to tie that incident with the threats issued by the radical Islamic State group, despite the fact there is no evidence that the gunman was acting on behalf of the extremists.

Comment
1
Comments
This is a Canadian version of the so-called Patriotic Act in US
Post with no popular comments.