Miscellaneous
There is a new enemy. An enemy over there, but also an enemy within. And an omnibus of new security measures too: Bill C51 Anti-Terrorism Act 2015. The architecture of a total surveillance state. If this becomes law, Canadian spies would have sweeping powers disrupt threats to the security of Canada, which is very broadly defined – perhaps even including wildcat strikes and civil disobedience - the type of dissent practiced by MKL and Ghandi. Until now, CSIS agents can only gather intelligence. But with the bill’s passing, Canada’s spies could ignore the Carter of Rights and Freedoms – with sign off from a judge. The only limits on this power are set out in the text of the bill: 12.2 (1) In taking measures to reduce a threat to the security of Canada, the Service shall not (a) cause, intentionally or by criminal negligence, death or bodily harm to an individual; (b) wilfully attempt in any manner to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice; or (c) violate the sexual integrity of an individual. Information sharing is part of the bill. All this data mining is not to stop terrorism. You cannot find a needle by making a bigger haystack. No, as Hannah Arent said, the intel is for “when the government decides to arrest a certain category of the population.” The BCCLA testified that the Act would have a chilling effect on free speech, But the potential impacts to indigenous peoples are ominous. Mi'kmaq Citizen, lawyer, professor, mom, sister and auntie, Pam Palmater testified before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.