A leader’s words should strengthen, not scare a nation. Yet while rolling out Bill C-51 on January 30, Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose decidedly dark rhetoric with undertones of racism. It was a disgraceful display of political theatre from a man known for wrapping himself in the flag and co-opting the valour of military members who fought and died for our freedoms.
Shortly thereafter, the whipped Conservative crowd, MP David Wilks included, sprang into action in an effort to spin a false narrative between safety and security, while downplaying – or outright denying – the many acute flaws in Bill C-51. They did so despite knowing the separation between spies and law enforcement that came about through the 1984 McDonald Commission that exposed the nefarious activities of the RCMP.
Just trust us, Conservatives chant! Mounties targeted suspected Front de libération du Québec members, but also other “extremists” believed to be infiltrating the Parti Québécois. In 1972, they burned down a barn after suspecting involvement with Black Panther activists from the U.S. As well, they engaged in dirty tricks, such as stealing a Parti Québécois membership list and opening the mail of those they deemed dissidents. Their enemies list included Tommy Douglas.
To those who support Bill C-51, this is not a response to terror. Rather, it is a 600-page corrosive omnibus bill that effectively rescinds, and at the whim of the state, the Charter rights of all Canadians under the guise of national security. It is a government spoiling to pick a fight with the Supreme Court of Canada over yet another piece of sweeping and unconstitutional legislation. It is an unconscionable assault on Canadian ideals, our rights, our privacy and our values. But that’s just not the way we do things in Canada.
Bobbie Saga
Sparwood, B.C.