Vernon Residents Demonstrating Against Harper’s Anti-Terror Bill

B.C. residents are joining communities all across the country in speaking out against the Prime Minister’s controversial Bill C-51.

Various groups have already voiced their concern over the proposed anti-terror legislation, which gives RCMP and security personnel more authority, criminalizes the advocacy or promotion of terrorism, and lets authorities detain possible terrorists for longer periods. Critics say that that the bill is too sweeping and vague, giving new powers to security personnel without enhanced oversight. There are also concerns that legitimate protests could be affected as well.

Stephen Harper, however, has said that the new legislation is necessary against growing security threats to Canada. ““Jihadist terrorism, as it is evolving, is one of the most dangerous enemies we have ever faced,” said Harper. Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety, has said that the legislation will not sacrifice Canadians’ rights and freedoms, but will instead protect Canadians as free and democratic people. “ We will not overreact,” says Blaney. “But we will not under-react to the clear and present danger before us.”

On Saturday, demonstrators are gathering across Canada to protest Bill C-51 in a “Day of Action Against Bill C-51. Protestors are meeting in Vernon at Okanagan–Shuswap MP Colin Mayes’ office on 29th street , and other nearby protests are occurring in Kamloops, Castlegar, Nelson, Coquitlam, and Vancouver.

Other groups who have raised concerns about Bill C-51 include the federal NDP party, B.C.’s Privacy Commissioner, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.