AMU Intelligence Terrorism

Canadian Government Welcomes Anti-terrorism Legislation

By Anthony Kimery
HSToday

Canada’s new counterterrorism legislation, The Anti-terrorism Act 2015, highlights Canada’s “continued commitment to taking swift action to combat jihadi terrorism and protect Canadians,” according to a government announcement, which noted the new powers provides Canada’s “police forces with the tools and flexibility they need to protect Canadians against serious and evolving threats from terrorist organizations like ISIS while at the same time incorporating measures to ensure the civil liberties of Canadians.

Canada anti-terrorism
CN Tower in Toronto

“Canadians know that Canada is unfortunately not immune to the ever-evolving threat of terrorism,” jointly stated Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Steven Blaney, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Peter MacKay.

This legislation “will directly address the threat of terrorism by enhancing our government’s ability to share information between relevant government departments and agencies for national security purposes; criminalizing the advocacy and promotion of the commission of terrorism offences; preventing terrorists from travelling and recruiting others; and providing our police forces with the additional tools they need to prevent, detect, deny and respond to the threat of terrorism.”

“Without security, there can be no liberty,” the announcement stated, adding, “Our government knows that that the Anti-terrorism Act 2015, strikes the right balance, with a range of provisions to strengthen safeguards.”

“Recent attacks on Canadian soil in Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu and at our National War Memorial and Parliament buildings in the heart of our democracy are reminders that jihadi terrorism is a global threat, and that Canada is not immune to the menace of terrorist organizations like ISIS,” Blaney said. “Our government’s top priority is ensuring the safety and security of all Canadians. With the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, we are providing police forces with the additional tools they need to prevent, detect, deny and respond to the threat of jihadi terrorism while fully protecting our civil liberties. Without security, there can be no liberty, and our Government knows that these measures serve to protect both.”

MacKay said, “As we have all witnessed, terrorism knows no borders and Canada is facing an unprecedented threat to our national security. Attacks in Canada, which led to the deaths of Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, as well as recent attacks in France and Australia, are stark reminders that the world is a dangerous place and that the threat of terrorism is very real. That is why our government has adopted the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, to provide our police forces with the tools they need to protect Canadian families and keep our communities safe.”

Read the FULL ARTICLE at HSToday.

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