Pros And Cons Of Bill C-51

Bill C-51 does not protect Canadian citizens, rather it encroaches their innocence and rights. This legislation was created by the Conservative Party of Canada, and is soon to be called the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015. It passed its 3rd reading May 6th, 2015 and its final vote in Senate June 9th, 2015; it is pending Royal Assent; and it is the first Federal legislation to enact S.33 of the Charter, the Notwithstanding Clause. This clause allows the government to enact a law (through traditional means) that conflicts with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a period of 5 years, before it is subject to review. This proposed act outlines the laws that are to be put in place to protect Canada from a list of activities that supposedly attenuate

As mentioned above, CSIS will soon be able to obtain warrants that allow the agency to break laws and Charter rights of citizens, allowing them to unconstitutionally interact with society. CSIS will be able to investigate any matters that, “undermine Canada’s security”; which includes anything that affects the economy or financial stability of Canada (i.e. blocking a logging road), and/ or effects the administration of Justice. Though the latter sounds normal, the definition of justice could change very much with the enactment of this bill. Editorials in the Globe and Mail have conveyed the worry of Canadian citizens about the new abilities CSIS will have. In one of the editorials the author expressed a concern about the political agenda CSIS executives may have, and how it will affect the way CSIS polices society: “… if Bill C-51passes. CSIS will be able to disrupt anything its political masters believe might be a threat”. To coincide with the potential of a political agenda, CSIS will also have information given to them from Citizen and Immigration Canada, and other government establishments. This could easily result in the profiling of ethnic Canadians, considering the bill lists no protection of minorities from this in Canada. There was no sound explanation given in the bill as to why information from these establishments was necessary to CSIS’ functioning, besides being deemed

Citizens of Canada could be detained before they have done anything to thwart national security. This was created to prevent ‘extremists’ from committing any dangerous, or damaging act, though this enforces a reverse onus, a violation of Section 11 (b) of the Charter. Citizens will also have their rights limited on the grounds they ‘might’ commit a certain offence, though there is no mention of what constitutes reasonable proof of this, and is hence arbitrary. Giving CSIS these new powers could easily end in the encroachment of the rights of innocent citizens, despite potentially protecting the state. This legislation will indefinitely result in a power imbalance between citizens and the government. With the example of the minor, in comparison, power imbalance between police and citizens, it is a valid point of concern that this inequality between individuals and the state could end very poorly. A group of respected, and notable Canadian Officials consisting of 22 significant political figures released a statement via the Globe and Mail and La Presse newspapers, expressing their concerns with the bill. Their main concern with the proposed ac was the fact it may lead to significant human rights violations: “… experience has shown that serious human rights abuses can occur in the name of maintaining national security.” Historical events, which have occurred in Canada, such as the War