Public meetings on Bill C-51 are scheduled for 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel (see dates and times below).  The meetings are being held under the heading of “Anti-terror legislation, Bill C-51 – a threat to the rights of all Canadians.”

The Stand Up for the North Committee is organizing the public meetings in 100 Mile House and Quesnel, while the Williams Lake meeting is organized by the Council of Canadians and the Stand Up for the North Committee.

Sponsoring organizations include: Faculty Association of the College of New Caledonia, Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance, and Steelworkers Local 1-424.

According to the Stand Up for the North Committee, a broad range of people have spoken out against this legislation, including Supreme Court Justices, many legal experts, the Canadian Bar Association, BC Civil Liberties Association, law professors, four former Prime Ministers, and the Premier of BC.  For his part, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada says, “All Canadians, not just terrorism suspects – will be caught in [its] web.”

Because this legislation has serious implications for the rights of all Canadians, the Committee believes it is imperative that people have the opportunity to fully discuss and deliberate on this controversial legislation.

Meeting dates and times are as follows:

100 Mile House meeting

7pm, Monday, March 30

United Church (meeting room), 49 Dogwood Avenue

Williams Lake meeting

7pm, Tuesday, March 31

St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall, 549 Carson Drive

Quesnel meeting

7pm, Wednesday, April 1

Arts & Recreation Centre (lounge), 500 North Star Road

For further information contact: peter.ewart@shaw.ca