My head is reeling from the Senate vote just now – C-51 passed, 44-28.
MP John Duncan must be pleased.
I cannot imagine how these Conservative senators will live with their conscience. And, this, while top senators are under investigation.
The government’s co-sponsor of Bill C-51, Senator Boisvenu, has even been forced to resign from the government caucus. It’s appalling that the Senate, under a cloud of such scandal, would vote through an extreme law that experts, including the Canadian Bar Association, warn will have a harmful impact on all of us.
This dangerous bill now opens the door for violations of our Charter Rights including censorship of free expression online. Your sensitive private information would be shared between no fewer than 17 government agencies and even handed to foreign governments. This includes sensitive information that can reveal everything from your financial status, to your medical history, your sexual orientation, and even your religious and political beliefs.
Victims of these privacy breaches wouldn’t even be informed – that means the government could spy on anyone, at anytime, and we wouldn’t even know when we’ve been a victim. These new spying powers are highly unpopular: 71 per cent of Canadians don’t want to trade their privacy rights to give spy agencies more power. The government has admitted Bill C-51 is fundamentally flawed, so they must withdraw the legislation, go back to the drawing board and start over.
Now I must go and see which B.C. senators voted for or against. I know Sen. Mobina Jaffer voted against.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this bill smacks of the Gestapo – no exaggeration. Just watch and see!
I encourage Canadians to learn more about how we can work together to stop Secret Police Bill C-51 at: StopC51.ca
Cheena Graham
Black Creek
