This week a headline broke out in the Toronto Star: “New terror laws must respect privacy, watchdogs warn federal government.”
After the attack on Ottawa, Canada is looking at revising it’s laws regarding terrorism.
However, the privacy watchdogs are kicking up a bit of a fuss.
According to the article the watchdogs made a statement saying, “any new measures to protect Canadians from such attacks must be measured and proportionate, and crafted so as to preserve our democratic values.”
The watchdogs continued to explain that Canadians expect and are entitled to their privacy.
This is a privacy Canadians have grown accustomed to, and have become so fond of.
The new anti-terrorism legislation supposedly gives the country’s domestic spy agency the power to carry out its activities globally.
The Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act was introduced on Monday, Oct. 27, and provides protection for those who wish to share evidence with CSIS.
In another article published by the Toronto Sun regarding the topic called “Feds introduce new anti-terrorism bill,” stated that Bill C-44 will give CSIS the right to perform duties and functions within or outside of Canada, and will give judges the right to issue warrants to CSIS giving them permission to work outside of Canada.
According to the article, the reason for this new legislation is to provide the CSIS with the authority to collect information from suspects who leave Canada.
The statement from the watchdogs said, “Canadians both expect and are entitled to equal protection for their privacy and access rights and for their security.”
This much is true, Canadians do hold the right to their privacy, and have the right to protect that privacy, however with the attack that happened in Ottawa by a Canadian, on fellow Canadians, where do we go from here?
A new law is coming into play, one that will protect Canadians and also respect their privacy.
It must be difficult for the federal Conservatives to juggle both hot topics while attempting to create a bill that will keep Canada, and its people safe.
With the watchdogs keeping a close eye on the process it will be difficult to find a common ground that allows law enforcement to both hold a right to investigate, but also dance around the privacy of the individual being investigated.
