2007-02 (February)
BLAINE CALKINS MP REPORT
February 28, 2007
Opposition Plays Politics with the Anti-Terrorism Act
It was a dark day in the House of Commons on February 27th when the Liberals, the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois teamed up to defeat two key parts of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
First introduced by the former Liberal government following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the two provisions, which would have been extended for three years were, “preventative arrest” and “investigative hearings”. These provisions would have continued to give police the power to arrest and detain suspects without charge when there is reason to suspect an act of terror is imminent and to compel testimony before a judge. Both provisions have been ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada and are important law enforcement tools.
New Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion’s decision to withdraw his support for Canada’s Anti-Terrorism law, at a time when the threat of terrorism is growing, amounts to a failure of leadership that could endanger the safety of Canadians. Albertans in particular are on alert over a recent online message posted by the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization that stated, “we should strike petroleum interests in all areas which supply the United States….like Canada.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper repeatedly sought a compromise with the Liberals to ensure these important provisions were safe-guarded. This is why Mr. Dion’s actions are puzzling especially when he supported these provisions while he was a Minister in the Chretién government. The Liberal-dominated Senate recommended the extension of both provisions as did former Deputy Prime Ministers John Manley and Anne McLellan and former leadership contender Bob Rae who once served as head of the Air India Inquiry.
The Air India Victims Families Association publicly supported the renewal of the anti terror provisions, arguing they could help police get to the bottom of the terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182, the largest mass-murder in Canadian history in which 280 Canadians died, including 82 children. Relatives of Canadians killed on 9/11 came to Parliament Hill on the day of the vote in a last ditch effort to convince the opposition parties to support the renewal resolution.
By flip flopping and allowing these clauses in the Anti-Terrorism Act to expire, the current Air India Inquiry will not be able to fully complete its work; the police will not be able to investigate and the Air India families will never know the full truth. The police have a job to do, the families of the Air India victims need to know the truth, and Canadians deserve to be protected.
For any government, there is no greater duty than the protection of its citizens. Prime Minister Harper and our government take this duty very seriously. While Stéphane Dion plays politics with the Anti-Terrorism Act and the security of Canadians, Canada’s New Government is unwavering in its commitment to give law enforcement the tools they need to protect our country from the threat of terror.
Parliamentarians were given a choice: to vote for the safety of Canadians or bend to caucus politics. I am very disappointed in the outcome of this vote, but I wish to assure you that I will continue to support reasonable measures to better protect Canadians from the threat of terrorism.
If you wish more information on these or any federally related matters, please contact the Constituency office or my web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca