Canadian Bill C 51: salient features you should know about

June 25, 2018June 26, 2018 by Jayce Ellsworth

The Bill C 51 is a law in Canada that hampers various features which makes a society civilized. The bill is mainly controversial for the rights and powers it grants to the RCMP and CSIS. From Amnesty International to Human Rights Watch every organization is of the view that there are already anti-terrorism laws implemented in Canada. There is no need of separate bill to be implemented in this regard. It is for the same reason that Bill C 51 was very much scrutinized before it was made a law. The human rights organizations in Canada are not satisfied even after this. Keeping mass criticism aside the Canadian government has made the controversial Bill C 51 a law. The RCMP and CSIS now enjoy greater control over the info of common Canadian which is again not good for the Canadian society. Bill C 51 has several features added to it. Some of the most important ones are listed as under.

Terrorism promotion is strictly forbidden

Bill C 51 first of all states that if a Canadian is caught and there is significant evidence against him then he would be jailed. The jail terms and the chances of paroles are all mentioned as per the severity of the crime. The maximum term which he will get in this regard is 5 years. It is a known fact that manipulating with the evidence is something that can be done with ease. It simply means that Bill C 51 can make an innocent land in jail for a crime which he has not committed. The right to free speech is also chilled by this clause which means that a person cannot express the opinion on any issues freely.

Physical promotion of terrorism banned completely

It is again one of the most important issues which Bill C 51 presents to the Canadian. RCMP can now easily obtain a warrant against a person that they believe is promoting terrorism by distributing the literature physically. The court will then decide that whether or not the material is related to terrorism. The biggest issue with this clause is that it is already added to the criminal code of Canada, secondly what will happen if the court finds that the literature was not related to terrorism. The issue will get complex if the online side of the story will be embedded in the case. This clause according to Amnesty International will only traumatize the person if he or she is innocent.

Arrests without warrant

This is the most disturbing part of the law. It will allow the RCMP and in high profile cases the CSIS to arrest the person of interest without any warrant. If the police believe that a person has a potential to promote or carry out the act of terrorism then he or she can be arrested without any warrant. The main idea behind this clause is to make sure that the terrorist acts are prevented as much as possible. The related interrogation will also be kept a secret and there is no way for the convict to get the copies.

Anti-Terror Act

What Canadians think about Anti-terrorism Act

June 17, 2018June 18, 2018 by Jenn Arterberry

If you want an answer in one line then it is simple. Canadians want the Bill C 51 to be repealed as soon as possible. There are many issues which are related to the Bill C 51 and therefore it is very important that in relation to the questions the issues of Bill C 51 are also discussed. The main thing that is to be noted in this regard is the fact that there is a very narrow line between rights of the citizens and the powers which are granted to the security and intelligence agencies. The Public Safety Canada started an online poll back in 2015 right after the Bill C 51 was passed by the Canadian Parliament. There were numerous responses received in this regard. Majority of the responses said that the Bill C 51 is illegal and therefore it must be declared null and void. The majority of the Canadian impressed their concern over the bill. According to the agency, the response was overwhelming.

Privacy has been hampered

This is the first point which is related to the Bill C 51. In simple words, it can also be called as the first and foremost concern of the Canadians. According to Public Safety Canada, they are very excited to know that the Canadians know their rights and know how to protect them. Most of the people are of the view that they need both privacy and protection while surfing the internet. Both ideas are the need of the hour and must be protected to make sure that online harmony is created. The respondents are of the view that they can have both ideas run side by side at the same time and it is not a problem at all.

There is a good side

The Bill C 51 has also given powers to CSIS to collect the information about the Canadians that are held abroad for many reasons. There are some constitutional issues which are highly disturbing as the Canadian laws are not applicable all over the world. This is something that has been highly praised by the human rights organizations in Canada. The Global Affairs Canada will be working with the CSIS to make sure that such Intel is used for good. The Canadians which are held abroad can become a threat to the safety of Canada. If they are not then the same Intel will be used to assure that they get released from the jails.

The Parliamentarians will see the consequences

The former director of CSIS has said that the bill has safeguarded the boundaries of Canada but the government should wait for the consequences. Richard Fadden is of the view that such issues much be dealt strongly to make sure that the internal issues are detected and resolved. Bill C 51 is one of the best ways to counter external terrorism in Canada. On internal uproar regarding the bill should never be taken lightly. It will increase in the coming days. The Bill C 51 will need amendments in the near future for sure.

Canadian legislation

Why do Liberals support Bill C 51?

June 9, 2018June 12, 2018 by Kathryn Ellery

The Bill C 51 was made law in Canada in 2015. At that time the liberals were in the opposition and therefore it is important that their stance is judged. At that time the liberals made sure that the general public is pacified as there was a huge uproar about the bill. The liberals at that time promised that the bill will be amended. But they did not come up to their words. Now the liberals are in power and they are applying some of the points of Bill C 51 to safeguard not only Canada but their own interests. The fact of the matter is that there is the lot that has been done as per this bill. It is almost impossible to halt all the investigations which have been started using the powers of this bill. It is now up to the government to decide which parts of the Bill C 51 should be enforced to safeguard the Canadian society. They must also decide that which parts they are going to dump to make common Canadians happy.

It is up to the public safety department of Canada to explain to the people of Canada what is being done to make sure that the Bill C 51 does not remain controversial anymore. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Canadians are being breached by Bill C 51. It is very important for the liberals to make necessary amendments to make sure that RCMP and CSIS never carry out any such task on Canadian soil or against any Canadian. The liberals must give assurance to the Canadians that all such provisions are practically scraped and are not being used at all. The Bill C 51 is something that is completely against the rights of the Canadians. Not just Canada this bill in any form is unacceptable in any part of the world. Canada is a profound human rights activist and the world sees it that way. Measures such as Bill C 51 will hamper the image of the country all over the world.

There is a counter that has been promised and being discussed by the liberals is the Bill C 59. It has all the powers to make sure that the Charter of rights of the Canadians is never hampered at all. The new Bill C 59 will make sure that all the controversial clauses of the Bill C 51 are amended in such a manner that it becomes acceptable to a common Canadian. The CSIS will use completely new ways to make sure that Canada is safeguarded. It is important and the need of the hour to implement Bill C 59 instead of Bill C 51 so that the falling popularity of the liberals can be boosted to some extent.

The liberals are of the view that they supported the bill in the best interest of Canada and the Canadians. They know that it has flaws and with constant public feedback, the Bill C 51 will be changed to Bill C 59 eventually to make matters easy.

Anti-Terror Act

Main controversies surrounding Bill C 51

June 1, 2018June 4, 2018 by Calla Augustine

Bill C 51 is also known as Anti-Terror bill 101 and is a constant subject of debate all over Canada. There are numerous issues which are surrounding the bill and for the same reason, a common Canadian is not ready to accept it wholeheartedly. There are many issues with the bill but before we delve deep into the subject it is very important to understand what Bill C 51 really is? What it stands for? And why the conservatives are so eager to add this bill to their political portfolio. The most important point to understand in this regard is that the scope of anti-terrorist acts is very broad in Canada.

What Bill C 51 really is?

It is the anti-terror bill that was first of all discussed in 2015. It is a matter of constant debate in the country. The people are not ready to accept the changes which are being made in the name of this so-called law. Most of the members of the Canadian parliament are of the view that strict laws must be implemented to make sure that home becomes safe and secure. In October 2014 there are two attacks on Canadian soldiers. Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris added fuel to fire. Low-risk law implementation is the main reason for Bill C 51.

Why is it so controversial?

According to Bill C 51, the Canadian law enforcement agencies will get greater control over the privacy of the users of social media. It is not the only feature which makes this bill controversial. The CSIS will also be able to snoop on the people above and beyond their usual powers. It will definitely create a sense of panic among the human rights organizations in Canada. On the other hand, some former primers of Canada are of the view that instead of Bill C 51 greater and stronger observation of CSIS is the need of the hour.

Privacy hampered

Greater control of Canadian Security Intelligence Service has definitely raised eyebrows of common Canadian. It is for the same reason that as soon as the content or the intention of the government was made public protests erupted in various Canadian cities. The information sharing clause of Bill C 51 is the most terrifying one and for the same reason, it should never be implemented at all. The CSIS will be able to access any information of any Canadian whatsoever which makes Bill C 51 very much upsetting.

The future

Bill C 51 is definitely a problem to a common Canadian and therefore necessary measures must be taken to make sure that the clauses are amended. The bill itself is a good initiative by the Canadian authorities but tweaks are definitely required. Terrorism is never acceptable in any form and the authorities should note that the terrorists have no religion at all. Again this is a matter of debate and therefore must be included in the minutes of parliamentary meetings. Failing to do this can cause issues to common Canadian which is not acceptable.