Dear Prime Minister,
We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, call for the immediate and unconditional dismissal of Bill C-51: Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015. We are extremely concerned by the potential impact of this legislation, which fails to strike the balance between protecting Canadians and safeguarding our cherished rights and freedoms as protected in the Charter.
Bill C-51 has been widely criticized by experts and Canadians across the country as being irresponsible, dangerous, and ineffective. This law will detrimentally impact our social frameworks, democratic values and fundamental rights. Our security agencies currently possess wide-ranging powers to address security threats, and the need for this broad legislation has not been demonstrated. While minor amendments to the bill have been suggested, amendments cannot repair such an extensive and dangerous piece of legislation.
As Canadians learn more about and better understand the bill, their concern for its contents and potential impact continues to grow. The bill’s consultation process has been incredibly hasty, not even allowing for our own Privacy Commissioner to speak to the potential impact that this broad legislation could have. Legislation that could in any way affect our rights and freedoms cannot be created in such a rushed manner. Canadians must be consulted, and expert recommendations and criticism must be factored into shaping the country’s policies.
We agree with the over 179,000 Canadians who have called on the government to scrap this irresponsible, dangerous and ineffective legislation through StopC51.ca and other petitions. Bill C-51 is fundamentally flawed and the proposed amendments do little to mitigate the erosion of our rights and freedoms if it is passed into law. We write to you requesting that the federal government listen to the wishes of the majority of Canadians, and withdraw this piece of legislation. We will not be pressured or scared into sacrificing our rights and freedoms.
Yours sincerely,
Access
Amnesty Canada
Avaaz
Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation
BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)
BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA)
BC Library Association
Canadian Association of Professional Employees / Association canadienne des employés professionnels
Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)
Canadian Library Association
Centre for Law and Democracy
Centre for Free Expression, Ryerson University
Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)
CWA/SCA Canada
Democracy Watch
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Environmental Defence
Free Dominion
Greenpeace Canada
ifeminists.com
Institute for the Study of Privacy Issues (ISPI)
International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG)
Keepers of the Water
Leadnow
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
National Union of Public and General Employees
North American Association of Independent Journalists (NAAIJ)
OpenMedia
PEN Canada
Pirate Party of Canada
Privacy & Access Council of Canada
Privacy International
Public Service Alliance of Canada, BC Region
Pacific South Western Advocates (PSWA Canada)
Real Art Gaining Strength
Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia (RTKNS)
Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy & Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC)
Stand Up for the North Committee
Telecommunities Canada
Youth Vote Canada
