Dangers of Bill C-51; the Anti–Terrorism Bill
Canadian’s Rights and Freedoms
The Government of Canada seems determined to have Bill C-51 passed as quickly as possible, despite critics concerns that there will be no oversight and that it will have a chilling effect on the thought process, free speech and the ability to protest. Canadians will now be afraid to speak their minds, oppose controversial laws and economic projects with uncertain environmental issues. One thing is certain, the privacy of every Canadian will be at risk as CSIS would now have the ability to demand the sharing of information from other governmental agencies and departments. This is of particular concern to First Nations as Aboriginal Affairs already holds information on every aspect of First Nations Peoples lives. Sharing this information will put the privacy of First Nations people at risk.
This bill is about more than “anti-terrorism”. It is also about branding people as terrorists if they oppose controversial and environmentally unsafe projects. If you look at the information sharing section of the bill you will see that the definition of “undermines the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Canada” or “the economic or financial stability of Canada” could cover a wide range of activities. It is certain that it will cover those opposing transportation of oil by rail and nuclear repositories as well as other environmentally controversial projects. However, it could be used to silence dissidents at almost any level if the government saw fit to categorize their activities into one of those definitions. One thing is clear. The Conservative Government considers anyone who opposes them as enemies. That’s why they keep an “enemies list”. First Nations People are already being spied upon. Bill C-51 will give the federal government the power to expand and legitimize their activities.
As First Nations struggle to defend their homelands, from becoming wastelands they could become branded as terrorists, put on no fly lists, lose their jobs and have their Rights and Freedoms under the Charter ignored. First Nations men and women fought alongside other Canadians in WW1 and WW2 and Korea to keep this country free and will continue to stand with other Canadians to expel outside forces seeking to destroy this country, but Bill C-51 has the potential to have them branded as terrorists when they defend their Ancestral Lands from internal threats.
Bill C-51, as written, has the potential to turn all Canadians into mindless slaves. One columnist called it “thought chill”. Bill C-51 has to be stopped. The NDP and Green Party are the only political parties who oppose the bill. The Liberals have said they will not oppose it but will change it after they are elected. A wish-washy position. The Assembly of First Nations has also demanded that the bill be withdrawn.
Each and every Canadian has a personal responsibility to voice their opposition to this bill or are we all to become unpersons in an Orwellian Society? It seems we are slowly creeping in that direction.
Duncan Michano, Pic River First Nation
