This is a quick post to update those interested on where bill C-51 currently stands.
After a second day of action across Canada (rallies in many cities across the country on Saturday, similar to those that took place on March 14th - I was at the one in Halifax, because I was attending the
Atlantic Security Conference the day before) various sources had expected the bill to go through its third and final reading before the House of Commons this week. Guesses as to when that would be were as early as this past
Monday, but the
projected order of business shows no sign of it on the list of activities for this week. That may have changed by the time you read this, but it was true when I wrote it.
Which might make one think that the Government is reconsidering its position and, as I suggested in my presentation, might be willing to let the bill die on the order paper as the original CSIS act (1983) did when civil liberties groups protested. The senate then spent the summer revising the bill and a version that was much better emerged and was passed in 1984 (according to
Roach and Forcese's Senate testimony - search for "1983"). Except, based on statements made in the House on Monday, there doesn't seem to be much change in the Government's position. Maybe there's more thoughtful consideration going on behind the scenes, but here is the full text of the three questions asked to Minister Blaney about C-51 on Monday:
Mr. Speaker,
Canadians in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor, Winnipeg,
Saskatoon, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, and many other communities
gathered together this weekend with one common goal: to urge the
government to stop Bill
C-51 from becoming law.
They recognize that this
legislation will be ineffective, dangerous and that it undermines
Canadians' rights and freedoms. Why does the minister not listen to them
and withdraw this legislation?
Steven Blaney (Conservative - Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness)
Mr. Speaker,
Canadians know they can count on our government to keep them safe. That
is why we are making sure that our police have the tools they need to
keep Canadians safe.
We are of the view of the
witness who came to committee and said that legislation is important to
combat radicalization. We need better tools to try to track jihadists
who travel overseas.
Ms. Raheel Raza is the president of the Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow. We share her views and we will deliver.
(The bolding there was mine - but the use of singular rather than plural was not :-) 1 witness of 48... and this same witness was concerned with CSIS overreach)
Mr. Speaker, the
Conservatives have managed to get unanimity across the country.
Canadians are unanimously opposed to the government's anti-terrorism
bill.
In cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Vancouver and Ottawa, thousands of people have protested against Bill
C-51.
Members of first nations, unions and experts across the board are
telling the Conservatives that this legislation is unnecessary and
dangerous.
When will the minister listen to Canadians and do the right thing: drop Bill
C-51?
Mr. Speaker, our
government will continue to take responsible measures to fight terrorism
by preventing terrorists from boarding planes, by allowing parents to
know that their child is being radicalized, and by shutting down sites
that promote terrorism.
Common sense measures are
supported by Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent's sister, who came here to
Ottawa to call on all parliamentarians to stand up and protect
Canadians from terrorism.
David Sweet (Conservative - Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON)
Mr. Speaker,
Canadians are very concerned at the reports coming out of Montreal that
two ISIS inspired extremists have been detained for plotting to engage
in terrorist activity.
We all recall the
horrific terrorist acts last October when Warrant Officer Patrice
Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo lost their lives at the hands of
cold-blooded jihadi terrorists.
I also want to thank our
RCMP officers for their work, working hand-in-hand with police officers
and with other agencies to keep Canadians safe.
This is a stark reminder
that the threat is real, that we need to take action and make sure that
we have the resources and the tools that are needed to keep Canadians
safe. Canadians can count on the Conservative government to take action.
(
source)
PS: Randall Garrison and Rosane Doré Lefebvre were both representatives for the NDP at the C-51 committee hearings.
PPS: Monday is the latest day for which transcripts of the proceedings of the House were availabe when I was writing this post.
PPPS: The delay means you still have time to contact your MPs, or write a letter to the editor. If you're not sure how to go about this, OpenMedia has a handy
form, which provides tips but doesn't put words in your mouth. And if you would like me to check a letter for factual correctness (with the proviso that I'm not perfect, just doing my best) I'm willing to do a few per day as time permits) just send your draft to
c512015commentary@gmail.com