Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act

The Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act was passed by the Liberal government of Canada in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. It received Royal Assent on December 18, 2001 as Bill C-36. The "omnibus" bill extends the powers of government and institutions within the Canadian security establishment to respond to the threat of terrorism. The expanded powers were highly controversial due to widelyFact|date=April 2008 perceived incompatibility with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in particular for the Act's provisions allowing for 'secret' trials, preemptive detention, and expansive security and surveillance powers. [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/cdnsecurity/]

Bill C-36

This bill provides similar measures to that of the USA PATRIOT Act passed by the United States in the same time frame.

The bill's passage has been compared to the government's activation of the War Measures Act in response to terrorist activity by the FLQ.

Opposition

It was opposed by Marjory LeBreton, David Paciocco, Andrew Telegdi and others. [ [http://www.telegdi.org/mmvii/newsrel_27feb07.htm So-called anti-terrorism act] ]

Expiration

Some of the bill's provisions expired on March 1, 2007. The Conservative government urged that these be renewed, while all three opposition parties opposed it. Specifically, the provisions had to do with preventative arrest and investigative hearings.

On February 27, 2007, the House of Commons voted 159 - 124 against renewing the provisions, which later led to the expiration of these provisions.

ee also

*Anti-terrorism legislation
*Paciocco

References

External links

* [http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2001/doc_27787.html Department of Justice, Canada: Highlights of Anti-Terrorism Act]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-36/C-36_3/C-36_cover-e.html Department of Justice, Canada: The 2001 Bill C-36 as passed]
* [http://www.psepc.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp Designated terrorist groups]
* [http://www.canada.com/cityguides/winnipeg/info/news/story.html?id=6d0a9d34-d08f-48f3-a450-a112935c7832 Air India families urge Dion to rethink Liberal stance on anti-terrorism act]
* [http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=572691d1-56ba-4268-bc33-0abc4afe890d&k=12857&p=1 Liberal MP's in-law interviewed in Air India case]