Anti-Terrorism Act: Protecting Canadians

Nothing is more important than the protection and safety of Canadians. Canada's Government takes this duty very seriously and is committed to giving law enforcement the tools it requires to safeguard our national security. One such tool, the Anti- Terrorism Act (ATA), has provided a measured approach that enhances Canada's ability to prosecute terrorists and to prevent them from carrying out their cowardly crimes. The ATA has worked to make Canadians safer since it received Royal Assent in 2001. One of the requirements of the Act, is that a review of its provisions be performed within three years of receiving Royal Assent, which was done by Parliament. Our Government sought to extend two important provisions in the Act to continue to give law enforcement the necessary tools to protect us. Unfortunately, our Government's recent motion to extend these crucial provisions was not supported by all parties in the House of Commons. Despite this disappointing setback, our Government will work on a bill that will give back to our law enforcement agencies the powers they require to help prevent terrorist acts.

The Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) is one of several pieces of legislation that forms the Government of Canada's overall anti-terrorism strategy. It takes aim at terrorist organizations and assists the Government of Canada to meet the extraordinary challenges presented by terrorism. The legislation is intended to protect the safety, security, and fundamental rights of Canadians.

The provisions which require a comprehensive review by Parliament include Investigative Hearings and Recognizance Conditions (Preventative Arrest). These two provisions 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.

The two provisions of the Act have assisted the police in investigating the Air India tragedy, in allowing the families to know the truth about what happened. The Air India Victims Association has supported the provisions of the ATA, as well as family members of Canadians killed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack, in New York City.

Our Government has continued to support the extension of these two provisions for an additional three years, to provide law enforcement with the tools to continue to protect Canadians from potential terrorist threats and to allow Air India investigators to finish their work, in order to find the truth in this unspeakable tragedy.

Our Government has been unwavering in its commitment to give law enforcement the necessary tools to protect our national security. Furthermore, our Government has repeatedly sought a compromise with the opposition parties, to ensure these important provisions were safeguarded. On February 27, 2007, the motion to extend the two provisions was voted on in the House of Commons. Regrettably, the motion was not supported by all parties in the House of Commons, which is a most unfortunate setback for our law enforcement and overall security.

Although the motion wasn't passed in the House, Minister Day, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Minister Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and their officials will continue to work on a bill that will give back to our law enforcement agencies the powers they need to help prevent terrorist acts and to ensure Canadians are safe and protected because there is no greater duty for any government, than to protect its citizens.