“Our security agencies work with each other and with others around the globe to track people who are threats to Canada and to watch threats that may evolve. I think though, this is not a time to commit sociology, if I can use an expression. It’s time to treat this- these things are serious threats.”
– Mr. Harper on April 25, 2013
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- In the past decade only two Canadians have died in domestic terrorist attacks. In that time you were four times more likely to be killed by a bear than in a terrorist plot.
[Source, Source, Source] - Act C-13: Telecommunications and banking companies can give your private information to the government with complete immunity. Any ‘public officer’ can gain access to your private information, including police, CSIS, and even mayors.
[Source, Source, Source, Source] - Act C-13: If a company does not voluntarily give your information to the government then a warrant can easily be gained if they suspect that your information is useful.
[Source, Source, Source, Source] - Bill C-51: Unprecedented information gathering and sharing has been authorized without meaningful oversight of the reliability, relevance or legality of the information shared.
[Source, Source, Source] - Bill C-51: CSIS can take action against any perceived threat to the security of Canada. ‘Threats’ are so broadly defined that CSIS has investigated legitimate local movements.
[Source, Source, Source] - Bill C-51: The only limitations on what CSIS can do to stop a threat are not cause bodily harm, sexual harm, or obstruct justice.
[Source, Source, Source] - Bill C-51: Section 42 of the act says that CSIS can ask for a warrant to take actions that are illegal and against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
[Source, Source] - Bill C-51: Mr. Harper’s government can restrict your travel or order your arrest if it’s believed you ‘may’ be a threat to the security of Canada.
[Source, Source, Source] - Mr. Harper shut down the Office of the Inspector-General which was the oversight for CSIS. Mr. Harper has assigned the Office’s duties to the Security Intelligence Review Committee largely made up of part-time appointees.
[Source, Source, Source] - Mr. Harper has spent $1.2 billion for a new headquarters for the Communications Security Establishment Canada.
[Source, Source, Source] - In a similar manner to the American Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Harper’s government has created “integrated national security enforcement” teams. The security forces combine various levels of police and intelligence agencies, to protect Canadian infrastructure against perceived terrorist threats. There is concern over the expanded role of these security agencies as well as who they deem as terrorist threats.
[Source, Source] - Bill S-4 “The Digital Privacy Act” allows organizations to indefinitely hold, without a court order, someone’s personal information. There are no restrictions on how that personal data can then be used.
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