LETTER

No secret police in Canada! 

 

Prime Minister Harper is trying to pass a “secret police” law that would give unnecessary powers to spy agencies with little oversight or accountability. Let's defend our democracy: tell party leaders and MPs to reject fear, stop this bill and start over with real oversight by a dedicated, high-level Parliamentary committee to oversee our spy agencies.

 

We ask an end to the outrageous attacks on civil liberties, criminalization of speech, and preventative arrest for those who have committed no crime. The Globe and Mail, which endorsed the Conservatives, has now accused Harper of using his new spying law to create a “secret police force” in Canada.  

 

Reject fear-mongering

 

Many MPs, including Conservatives, are concerned about the outrageous laws and lack of oversight - but they need to know that Canadians will speak out too.  Sign the petition at Leadnow.com to stop the “secret police” bill and demand MPs start over with proper safeguards.

 

Last year the Committee overseeing CSIS’ work, the Security Intelligence Review Committee, met delays in receiving information . . . (and) suggested that the agency had “seriously mislead” the committee, and “failed to disclose relevant information”. Canada is the only Western democracy without a high-level legislative oversight body.  With these laws, it will only get worse.  

 

Last year a public backlash forced the Conservatives to take out some of the worst parts of the “Fair Election Act.” We can do it again. Will you join us?

 

Jamie Biggar & Leadnow.com

Ottawa