| Canadian victims of 9/11 terror attacks want Anti-Terrorism Act renewed
février 27, 2007
Liberal leader Stéphane Dion should reverse flip flop and support the ATA Family members of Canadians killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks were in Ottawa today calling on opposition Liberal, NDP and Bloc MPs to support the renewal of the two key provisions of Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act that are set to expire March 1st, 2007. The two provisions, “preventative arrest” and “investigative hearings”, give police the power to arrest and detain suspects without charge when there is reason to suspect an act of terror is eminent and to compel testimony before a judge. Both provisions have been ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. Last week, the Air India Victims Families Association made public their support for the renewal of the anti terror provisions, arguing they could help police get to the bottom of the terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182, the largest mass-murder in Canadian history in which 280 Canadians died, including 82 children. Also last week, the Liberal-dominated Senate issued a report recommending the renewal of all provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Stéphane Dion supported the measures when he was in Cabinet during the Chrétien and Martin governments. However, since assuming the leadership of the Liberal Party, Mr. Dion has fallen captive to extreme elements in the Liberal Party and has flip-flopped by withdrawing his support for these anti-terrorism tools, over the objections of prominent Liberals John Manley, Anne McLellan, Irwin Cotler, and Bob Rae, and over the objections of a significant number of other Liberal MPs. Dion’s flip flop demonstrates that he is weak leader whose inability to set priorities is weakening Canada’s ability to protect Canadians from the growing threat of terrorism. Now is not the time for Dion and the Liberals to play politics with the security of Canadians. Stéphane Dion should ignore the extremist elements in his caucus, reverse his flip flop and allow his MPs to vote for the renewal of the ATA. |
