The CCLA appeared this morning in Ottawa to argue that Bill C17 should not pass because it is unconstitutional and would actually impede investigation and prosecution of terrorist activities.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, CCLA General Counsel Nathalie Des Rosiers argued that Bill C17 weakens our democratic traditions, poses real threats of arbitrary interference with liberty, undermines our commitments to habeas corpus, and provides no safeguards that evidence obtained from third states was not procured by torture. The CCLA also argued that contrary to being effectual, Bill C17 would actually impede surveillance, evidence gathering, prosecution and punishment — all of which are necessary to effectively fight terrorism.
The CCLA is opposed to the “normalization” of weakened due process protections in the face of terrorist threats. To effectively fight terrorism which is lawlessness, one must use the hard-won, and proven, tools of justice. Ms. Des Rosiers argued that Canada has a duty to set an international example by uholding the protections in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and in international law.
We will keep you posted on the progress of Bill C17.
