Debate continued in Canada’s House of Commons on Friday (February 20) over the government’s proposed Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, Bill C-51. The government insists police, Canada’s spy agency CSIS and the authorities need more powers to fight terrorism. The opposition parties, especially the Official Opposition NDP party, are concerned by how far the legislation goes and the lack of effective oversight.
The new legislation would widen powers for investigations, give CSIS the power to not only gather intelligence, but to also prevent or disrupt “threats” and activity ”that undermines the sovereignty, security or territorial integrity of Canada or the lives or the security of the people of Canada.”
On Friday, in an exchange with an opposition MP, Justice Minister Peter Mackay suggested the MP was more concerned by what Canada’s “security forces are doing, rather than what the terrorists are posing as a threat to our country.”
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda has a report.
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