Weighing in at a daunting 139 pages, Bill C-59 – the government’s sweeping new proposals for reforms to national security law – include some welcome changes, but also many serious new problems and threats to rights. Here’s a quick primer … Read More
National Security Blog
In the wake of tragedy: acting together against Islamophobia
Posted onThis weekend Canada witnessed a despicable act of terrorism perpetrated against Muslims in Canada. While individuals, including children, were praying in Quebec City’s Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec a gunman entered the space and opened fire. As a result, … Read More
National Security Accountability – Making it Real
Posted onNational security accountability – everyone says they want it. But not everyone means the same thing when they use the language of “accountability”. The dangers of ‘faux accountability’ are always serious, but especially so on national security matters where secrecy … Read More
The urgent need to end Canada’s complicity in torture — how you can help
Posted onThe government’s national security consultation Green Paper has been criticized for failing to be explicit about the human rights consequences of abuses in the national security realm. There are an overwhelming number of issues that must be responded to under … Read More
Updated: Our National Security Consultation series
Posted onA Different Shade of Green Paper: What the government forgot to mention The federal government recently announced the launch of the much-anticipated National Security Consultation. This is an unprecedented opportunity for Canadians to weigh in on the recent radical changes … Read More
Surveillance scandals break while government presses for more surveillance powers
Posted onFrom bad to… worse Quebec has just announced a public inquiry examining admissions by the province’s two largest police forces that they have been spying on journalists. These revelations are timely, to say the least. While Canadians read news … Read More
4) Security of Canada Information Sharing Act
Posted onThe Security of Canada Information Sharing Act (the “Information Sharing Act”) was enacted as part of Bill C-51. It gives expanded powers to federal government agencies to collect and share Canadians’ personal information, ostensibly for the purposes of “national security”, … Read More
The “New” CSIS – a de facto Secret Police
Posted onIssue: New Powers for CSIS to “Take Measures” Against Threats While a democracy can incorporate the need for an intelligence agency to operate with considerable secrecy, there is no place in a democracy for a secret police. Full stop. … Read More
2) Terrorism Speech Offences Will Undermine Radicalization Prevention Efforts
Posted onGreen Paper Topic(s) Criminal Code speech offence of advocating or promoting “terrorism offences in general”, and Proposal for radicalization prevention programs What it is Law Against Advocating or Promoting Terrorism in General The Anti-Terrorism Act 2015 (ATA, 2015) (“Bill C-51”) … Read More
1) The new Canadian “no-fly” regime
Posted onBill C-51 brought in the Secure Air Travel Act (SATA) which modifies the Canadian “no-fly” scheme (the Passenger Protect Program) to be more like the US model. People on one of the lists are not permitted to board airplanes (“no-fly”). … Read More
