We don’t have to choose between security and our rights That’s a false choice – we must protect both.
Everyone agrees that terrorism is a real threat. But Canadians are concerned that the Harper government is going too far with Bill C-51.
Our caucus is sticking to our principles. We oppose this legislation.
Canadians from across the political spectrum told us this bill has serious, fundamental flaws.
We must stand together and do what thousands of Canadians asked us to do and send a clear message to the Harper government: we won’t let fear triumph over our principles.
Since it was introduced, Bill C-51 has been criticized by numerous experts of all political stripes – including four former prime ministers, the Canadian Bar and a group of more than 100 academics and 60 businesswomen and men.
This new legislation won’t be effective, lacks adequate monitoring and surveillance measures and is deliberately vague.
Bill C-51 undermines our rights and freedoms. We introduced amendments that:
1. Delete provisions that undermine Canadians’ rights and freedoms including: vague new offence which lumps dissent with violent extremism.
2. Add effective provisions missing from C-51 by strengthening existing oversight of security and intelligence agencies, and ensuring Canada adopts a system of parliamentary oversight that will work.
3. Limit the scope of the bill by protecting privacy rights and narrowing the information sharing provision to cover only terrorism.
The Harper government has refused to listen. Supported by the Liberals, C-51 has now been passed through the House of Commons to the Senate.
We believe that terrorism is a real threat and we all agree that security is a priority for any government.
But Canadians don’t have to choose between security and their rights. That is why our NDP Caucus has stood up to the Harper government on C-51.
