LETTER

C-51 is a watershed point

 

C-51 is an attack on the freedom of Canadians, and it hearkens back to the ideological paranoia of J. Edgar Hoover in the time of the Nixon regime. C-51 is the infamous internet-snooping bill. Because it carries no civilian oversight it is fraught with dangers where accused people will have no recourse to defend themselves. I find it too bad that this law was supported by the Liberal party. If the Conservatives are re-elected  it will be in effect for at least four years, notwithstanding a court challenge on its Constitutionality.

The Bill on C-51 caused many Canadians to demonstrate in the streets.  Many people, first-rate scholars, journalists, lawyers, human rights advocates, first nations leaders and politicians spoke out against C-51. All this makes the Liberal support of it unconscionable.

The Liberals could have used their weight in opposition. So now we must endure it, and be vulnerable as citizens. Civilian organizations will be cowed by the anonymous and secretive CSIS. Giving secret service agencies more powers without any balancing of civilian accountability mechanisms is not what Canadians want from their government or an opposition party.

With the backing of the Liberal party, Stephen Harper took his law and order agenda to new heights. One might say, new lows. I hope the NDP can be elected and will repeal this undemocratic law (as would the Greens). Long campaign or not, we will remember this egregious attack on freedom. (Edited)

 

Carl Hagar
Municipality of Pontiac (Quyon)