Well, congrats to the USA for passing their bill. At least the majority of it makes sense.
Up North, the new bill unfortunately makes zero sense. Instead of actualy facing facts (yes, it is mostly people who have landed in the last 5 years who are terrorists, woe is me), they've decided to target the entire population.
A few highlights:
You can be arrested solely based on suspicion: no evidence required
NO right to remain silent (so, what, if you keep quiet they can torture you?!?!?)
Conviction on "secret" evidence
Expanded spying and wiretapping powers
This is essentialy the same powers granted by the War Measures Act (it was enacted in the early 70's during the FLQ crisis in Quebec..over 400 people were arrested and held for days without ever being charged). The difference between this bill and the WME back in 1970 was that it was only enacted for a few weeks. This bill will NOT have a sunset clause (the Prime Minister balked at the idea recently). Hello Police state!
The thing that personaly scares me most is some of the comments made by the Minister of Justice, Anne McClelland. She has a hate on for the gun culture as is (she is in charge of the 900 million over budget gun registration that has yet to register many guns, or have widespread approval and compliance). She said a couple weeks ago, and I quote "this terrorism bill will be multi faceted, and we plan to take care of the GUN PROBLEM with it as well". These are her words, and she hasn't denied it yet. This same minister called the people of my Province (Alberta, by far the most right wing, pro gun place in the country) racists, and said, DURING parliament that "crosses were being burned as I speak in Alberta" during debates over the gun registry. Um..ya.
So, me being a lifetime member of several gun activist/rights groups, including the NRA, NFA, CILA, and LUFA, I'm now in all likelyhood going to be considered a "terrorist" under this new bill, because I've advocated on the net and in public the fighting of our illegal (they are likely against our charter, but the Supreme court doesn't seem to mind) gun laws tooth and nail.
I've considered moving to the USA for several years now, and I've spent a good 2 years of my life there, playing various paintball tournaments and working in that business. If my fears become facts, and this country, which is filled with great people, yet controlled by a corrupt, and now nearing totalitarian level government does become a police state, I'll be packing my bags.
