A vast majority of Canadians are in favour of tough new legislation that would strengthen security powers to fight terrorism, according to a public opinion poll.
The ruling Conservatives crafted the proposed law after a gunman killed a soldier then stormed Parliament, and another man used a vehicle to kill a soldier in October. With an election set for later this year, the Conservatives are positioning themselves as Canadians’ best protection against such attacks.
While more than four out of five Canadians support the new legislation, 69 per cent say there should be stronger oversight so security agencies don’t go too far.
Former prime ministers, luminaries call for oversight
The call for stronger oversight was echoed by four former prime ministers as well as former cabinet ministers, Supreme Court Justices and member of security and privacy review bodies. They made a joint statement in newspapers published across the country saying recommendations for a new oversight regime were proposed in 2006 but never implemented, and all parties agreed to more oversight in 2004 but legislation was not adopted.
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