Candidates Speak to Bill C-51
Prince George, B.C. – Today 250 News looks at where the candidates in Cariboo-Prince George and Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies stand on the government’s anti-crime legislation, Bill C-51.
More specifically we asked them: Would you press for revisions to Bill C-51? (answers in alphabetical order).
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies:
Elizabeth Biggar, The Green Party: I would work to have Bill C-51 repealed as soon as I was elected. One of my biggest concerns is the fact that this law violates Canadian’s ability to protest, which is an essential part of any democracy. Protests increase public awareness of an issue and place pressure on governments and lawmakers to enact policies and laws that are in the best interest of all citizens. I was arrested on Burnaby Mountain protesting against the Kinder Morgan Expansion, which became a huge movement, bringing people together from all over to stop climate change. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees to all Canadians freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, yet this bill slashes these freedoms completely and needs to be stopped.
Todd Keller, Libertarian Party of Canada: The Libertarian Party of Canada would completely repeal C-51.
Matt Shaw, Liberal Party: Yes. I think Bill C-51 is one of the most egregious pieces of legislation to happen in the last several decades. I would like to see it done away with. I think we have to look at the broader question: Why does the Harper Government want Bill C-51 in its present form? Is it because Canadians are in danger from terrorists? Does anyone really believe that? One thing we can learn from history is that when governments start to turn authoritarian, the first thing they always do is pass legislation to spy on citizens and create an atmosphere where citizens are hesitant to voice dissent or engage in peaceful, democratic protest. I fear that this is the path we’re heading down with the Harper Government, and this is the complete opposite of the free and open society Canada has always been.
*Note Conservative incumbent Bob Zimmer and NDP challenger Kathi Dickie in the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies riding declined the opportunity to respond.
Cariboo-Prince George:
Tracy Calogheros, Liberal Party: Yes. We need to have all-party oversight and a sunset clause so that this Bill is reviewed or expires in 3 years. The Liberals have already fought to have amendments worked into this Bill, and I will work hard to ensure that the remainder of the necessary amendments are added. The fact is that the terrorism threat world-wide is real. Canadians have been targeted and killed. It would be irresponsible to ignore the reach that these organizations have in a globally mobile world. Part of the job of government is to imagine worst case scenarios and have a plan for them. However, I do not believe that we need to live in fear, either of terrorists OR of our own security organizations. We have had anti-terrorism legislation in place since 9-11. Campaigning by encouraging, emphasizing or even inciting fear, is just wrong. Canadians deserve better.
Sheldon Clare, Independent: I would see Bill C-51 repealed. It is simply not acceptable to have intelligence agencies granted enforcement powers, nor is the increased access to people’s private information acceptable. The Macdonald Commission of the 1970s made it clear that the power of intelligence gathering and law enforcement needed to be separated, or that they will always be abused. Why on earth would we accept a system which puts our basic freedoms and privacy at risk? It is appalling that the Liberals and Conservatives both support C-51.
Adam De Kroon, Christian Heritage Party: Yes, definitely. I support repealing Bill C-51. Bill C-51 is an attack on Canadians freedoms and privacy and I would make getting rid of this dangerous legislation a high priority. United Nations human rights committee has slammed Bill C-51 and said it gives too broad a mandate and powers to CSIS, both domestically and abroad, and without proper oversight. This is just one example of the dangerous legislation that the Conservatives have been pushing the last 2 years.
Trent Derrick, NDP: We need to be very careful with how we move forward as a country. Stephen Harper keeps giving us a false choice—one that tells us that we need to give up our rights and freedoms to be safe. Bill C-51 was condemned by legal experts, civil liberties advocates, privacy commissioners, First Nations leadership and business leaders, for the threats it poses to our rights and freedoms, and our economy.
New Democrats know that free societies are safe societies, and we’ll keep fighting for your rights and freedoms. The Harper Conservatives and the Justin Trudeau Liberals supported and voted in favour of Bill C-51. I do not support Bill C-51 and an NDP led government will get rid of the Bill by repealing the Bill.
Todd Doherty, Conservative Party: The first duty of any government is to protect the safety of its citizens. That is why we introduced the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 to ensure that our national security agencies have the tools they need to protect Canadians against the evolving threat of jihadi terrorists.
Canadians understand that their freedom and security go hand in hand. Canadians expect us to protect both, and there are safeguards in this legislation to do exactly that. There is a lot of misinformation about this bill, and we reject the argument that every time we talk about security, our freedoms are threatened.
The fundamental fact is that our police and national security agencies are working to protect our rights and our freedoms, and it is jihadi terrorists who endanger our security and who would take away our freedoms.
Under our Conservative Government, Canada is not sitting on the sidelines – as the Liberals and NDP would do. We understand that the international jihadist movement has declared war on Canada. Canadians are being targeted by jihadi terrorists simply because they hate our society and the values it represents. That is why we are instead joining our Allies in the international coalition in the fight against ISIL.
Richard Jacques, The Green Party: No, I would push to repeal the legislation in its entirety in order to restore Constitutional protections for all Canadians.
Tomorrow’s question: During the 2006 federal election campaign, Stephen Harper promised $1 billion for communities affected by the mountain pine beetle crisis if elected, yet only $200 million has been delivered since his election. How will you address that if elected?
Comments
I think this bill was rushed through with the post traumatic stress disorder of the current sitting Parliament. A lone gunman chased the Prime Minister into a closet after the RCMP experienced epic failure to protect Parliament… and we get police state powers for the unaccountable spy agency.
This legislation allows CSIS to not only spy on Canadians, but also the citizens of allies where their own law enforcement can not. Through Five Eyes arrangement the intelligence can be shared, and thus presents a threat to the civil rights of not only Canadians, but also our allies, and thus is an enabler of globalists that exert control through our own spy agencies when promoting their agenda.
One look at how CSIS was used by private Canadian mining companies to infiltrate the Brazilian Mining Ministry, and one can see how the corruption can be used to abuse the intelligence that is enabled through Bill C-51.
I can understand why the Conservatives brought in Bill C-51, terrorist groups have the cunning ability to hide behind the constitution and yet reek their havoc on society. As far as being spied upon. Every time you use a cell phone, someone can find information on you, you can even be traced with a cell phone. Every time you shop at a local grocery store and use their card for access or get a better deal on groceries you are being traced. Every time you use a charge card or debit card you are being traced. Most stores and gas stations and restaurants have surveillance cameras. Many busy intersections have cameras watching you, some major roads have cameras watching you. Log onto a computer and someone could potentially be watching you. Most employers have surveillance cameras and so forth. This isn’t 1962 anymore.
Cheetos: It may not be 1962 anymore, but do we really have to make it 1984? Besides, with all the surveillance you make note of, do we really need more?
Bill C 51 is for snooping with NO oversight what so ever. The long gun registry is a pussy cat compared to what this Bill C 51 can do. Cons want it, Libs still support it and the rest NDP, Greens and Libertarians want to scrap it.
The job of the intelligence service in any Country is to **snoop** they have been doing it for many, many, years. Every Country in the world has a secret service, with varying degrees of infringements on peoples rights. There is nothing new here.
The mere fact that every newspaper, tv station, radio station, and citizen of Canada can on any given day criticize the Government and Bill C-51, shows that our system is alive and well. The fact that some aspects of this bill are being challenged in court show that our system is working.
The real fear mongering on the bill is coming from those political parties that want to form the Government. They use C-51 and any other issue they can, to try and get support and get elected. That doesn’t make them right, it just means that they have the freedom in this Country to express an opinion.
I sincerely doubt that the Conservative Government has brought in any legislation with the intent of taking away rights from its citizens. This bill is about the ability of the Government to track and arrest terrorists, nothing more.
If you don’t believe me, go out and have a protest and see if you get arrested. I will guarantee you that unless you are breaking the law you can protest all you want.
It would truly be interesting to see the reaction of the NDP and other anti Bill C-51 ‘invasion of privacy’ advocates if some anti-abortion group, for instance, set about to bomb abortion clinics and declared open season on any doctor who would perform an abortion, and even managed to shoot one or two. Not an impossible scenario ~ there are ‘nuts’ out there who’ve done just that in the USA already. Would these anti Bill C-51 people then be so strident in their opposition? Or would they be demanding the government pull out all the stops and use everything contained within this legislation to investigate, catch, and prosecute the perpetrators of such heinous ‘terrorist’ acts?
What a complete cop out from Calogheros! Her party voted in favour of this bill, but I guess they have the luxury of flip flopping without one ounce of responsibility, unlike the ruling Conservative government who carries the enormous burden of protecting our country. As heavy handed as some of you lefties and self-righteous libertarian types may think of C-51, the true intent is to protect our Citizens and certainly not to invade or undermined our rights to privacy or lawful assembly and protest, sadly, all security officials have bigger things to worry about.
One hundred law professors have written (an open letter) against the bill (C-51).
Perhaps it is indeed a good idea to go over Bill C-51 again after the election and determine what their objections are and what can be changed to protect our rights and keep us safe at the same time!
Are they knowledgeable professors of law, if not, how did they get their law degree?
Watch how much screaming would happen if they did nothing.
I think bill c51 is a good thing with the threat of terrorism.
If your honest and not breaking the law, what are you afraid of?
I will vote for Harper for doing the right thing.
Palopu, you have hit the nail on the head my friend. Very sound description of the facts.
Thank you!
When Bill C-51 was first passed, I heard Commissioner Bob Paulson, the top commander of the RCMP talking about Bill C-51. What he pointed out was that there is no new money to implement Bill C-51, that the cost is taken out of the existing policing budget. The example of the effect on domestic matters that he gave was for groups who need to have volunteers and employees undergo criminal records checks. He stated that the reorganization of existing funds would increase the amount of time it takes for groups to have these necessary checks done. The time period was already at a year. He also stated that up to that point there had been only 2 “terrorists” identified as causing problems in Canada but that with the delay in criminal records checks, that law abiding citizens are having difficulty obtaining criminal records checks. Criminal records checks help to weed out people who should not be in certain positions.
Conservatives use fear to provoke voters.
The look out, there is a terrorist hiding over there approach is getting old.
You can see it in the response that party central wrote for Todd. How many times do you have to use the word jhadi terrorists.
Can’t trust Harper
The fundamental fact is that our police and national security agencies are working to protect our rights and our freedoms, and it is jihadi terrorists who endanger our security and who would take away our freedoms.
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How exactly would jihadi terrorists take away our freedoms? Would they run for parliament, get elected and then convince the Provinces to amend the Charter? Is that what Mr. Doherty is suggesting?
NMG Todd’s responses look like a form letter or cut and paste. It’s hard to know what he is saying.
Maybe if Harper would allow him to speak in public. Not just one on one where you can promise or say anything to people.
If he truly believed what Harper stands for and Harper believed in his candidates Todd would not be allowed to participate in debates.
And prove to us he could be a strong voice for us Ottawa.
Can’t trust Harper
C- 51 one is not only to snoop on others but more so Harpers intention to track and snoop on anyone that disagrees with him. Fear, hate and division were the tools of another dictator..
When the Prime Minister goes to the middle east and tells one country (Israel) that Canada is 100% behind them in their conflicts, then their enemies (Muslims) become our enemies.
He secertly sold arms to the Saudi terrorist..who in turn are GIVING them to isis…True!..he is DANGEROUS.we have no business in Syris it is not NATO sanctioned…He is in bed deep with the Jews….The only thing I fear is harper nothing else……
I’m willing to bet the Canadian military air strikes that accidentally resulted in killing 27 innocent Iraqis isn’t going to help.
NMG :-“How exactly would jihadi terrorists take away our freedoms? Would they run for parliament, get elected and then convince the Provinces to amend the Charter? ”
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No, they’d just plant bombs, kidnap and murder, and perform other acts of terrorism, and the response would then be similar to what happened when the FLQ was in business and Trudeau proclaimed the War Measures Act, which essentially took away all our freedoms, making them selectively subject to the dictates of the Prime Minister. “How far will you go?” he was asked, and his reply was “Just watch me.” Most people, even those who had no use for either Trudeau or the Liberal Party, supported what he had done in response to actions that needed to be quickly contained. Bill C-51, in contrast, allows the government to head off possible terrorist actions, BEFORE they occur.
Socred….from jihadists to PE Trudeau in a sentence ? Take a pill man !
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