Conservatives ignore Canadians, ram through Bill C-51

Despite overwhelming opposition from Canadians and evidence from experts that C-51 is dangerous and fails to make Canadians any safer, un-accountable and un-elected Conservative senators passed the bill last night without a second thought.

“Thousands of Canadians took to the streets to protest this bill because it will erode our rights and freedoms,” said NDP Public Safety critic Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca). “Terrorism is a very real threat, but there can be no tradeoff between public safety and our civil liberties. It’s shameful that the Senate Conservatives gave in to fear and division instead of standing up and defending Canadian values.”

Numerous experts have criticized Bill C-51 as dangerous and ineffective, including four former Prime ministers, the Canadian Bar Association and a group of over 100 academics and 60 business people. This legislation lacks important monitoring and surveillance measures and is deliberately vague.

“As usual, Conservatives are playing politics instead of standing up for what’s right,” said Garrison. “Canadians deserve better.”