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Nov 18 - Nov 25, 2001 |
New safety measures announced
Canada joins other Western countries in its tough stance against terrorists
By Angelo Persichilli
Originally Published: 2001-10-21
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Minister of Justice Anne McLellan
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The Canadian Government got tough in the "war against terrorism" by presenting new measures that should improve police co-ordination in this field.
The announcement came during a press conference held by Minister of Justice Anne McLellan, Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay and Foreign Minister John Manley (who's also chairing a special governmental antiterrorism task force).
This is just one of several initiatives adopted by the task force, and more are underway.
"The terrible events of September 11," said McLellan, "reminded us in no uncertain terms that in order to defeat terrorism we have to co-operate with other countries, and that Canadian laws must aim to punish and stop those who support international terrorism." McLellan remarked that the new measures enables the police to strike at perpetrators of terrorist acts but also at those who financially support them.
The plan addresses in particular the fields of immigration, finance, public safety, and border-crossing control.
"As a nation," said Solicitor General MacAulay, "we have a duty to defend our national security, and the new law will give the competent organizations the material and legislative resources needed to fulfil this duty."
Foreign Minister Manley, on his part, underscored that these measures "resemble those passed by other Western countries, with which we must co-ordinate our antiterrorist activities."
This bill will not avoid controversy, not just among politicians but also from the judiciary, where several voices have raised "concerns for citizens' rights."
This is why the Minister of Justice also introduced other measures that should counterbalance the new powers of the police. For instance, the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act will undergo parliamentary revision in three years.
McLellan underscored that the bill is fully consistent with the principles set down in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Minister clarified that the purpose of these changes is precisely to defend the freedom of the citizens, preventing them from "being paralyzed in their movement due to the terrorist attacks."
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