Canada Fights Terrorism at Home
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On October 15, 2001, the Government of Canada introduced Bill-36,
Canada’s new anti-terrorism legislation. The proposed bill creates
measures to identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorist
groups; provides broader investigative tools to police and national
security agencies; and strengthens laws against hate crimes and
propaganda. Highlights of the proposed bill include:
- A legal definition of “terrorist activities”
- The compiling of a list of terrorist groups.
- Extending the DNA warrant scheme and data bank to include
terrorist offences
- Broader surveillance and arrest powers for police and national
security and intelligence agencies
- The ability to prosecute and punish persons who have committed
terrorist acts outside of Canada
- Stiffer punishments for terrorists and those who harbour and
support them
- Broader powers for judge’s to order the deletion of publicly
available hate propaganda and the creation of a new offence of
mischief motivated by bias, prejudice or hate.
- The ratification of several United Nation’s anti-terrorist
conventions
There has been strong debate in the House of Commons over the
proposed legislation, however, the bill should pass into law before
Christmas. The Canadian Alliance Party and the Progressive
Conservative Party both support tougher measures to fight terrorism
and have expressed their desire to work with the government on this
issue. Only the New Democratic Party did not given immediate
support, stating that they would reserve approval of the bill until
after receiving public input. Furthermore, the Canadian Bar
Association and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have voiced
some concerns about the effect of the proposed legislation on civil
liberties. However, Justice Minister Anne McLellan insisted that the
proposed bill respects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
in every aspect.
Read
Highlights of the Proposed Anti-Terrorism Legislation
Check
Out the Progressive Conservative Party’s Stance on the Legislation
Check
Out the Canadian Alliance’s Stance
The
New Democratic Party and the War Against Terrorism
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