Ottawa should modernize Canada’s Security Infrastructure Program
Last November, Canadians of all backgrounds were shocked by the outrageous arson attack on a Peterborough mosque 24 hours after the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris. In targeting the local Muslim community, the perpetrator ironically galvanized the people of Peterborough into supporting their Muslim neighbours. The inspiring response to this incident should do more than […]
What does strategic paralysis look like?
On Tuesday, by a unanimous vote, the U.S. Senate passed a bill allowing families of September 11 victims to sue foreign governments which commit acts of terrorism on American soil. The bill paves the way for thousands of Americans to take to court the government of Saudi Arabia for its role in the 9/11 attacks. […]
National Security Oversight Committee to require top-secret facilities to ‘meet, transmit and store information’: Public Safety docs
In order to review, monitor and scrutinize the activities of the country’s most secret national security organizations including CSIS, the RCMP, the CSE, and the CBSA, Parliament’s first all-party National Security Oversight Committee will require dedicated secure facilities that match the “top secret RCMP signals-intelligence standards” to hold meetings, transmit, and store information, according to documents obtained by The […]
We don’t need to carp from the sidelines on kidnappings
OTTAWA—Now that the immediate horror of what happened to John Ridsdel has passed—not that this heinous act will ever be forgotten—many have turned their attention to what the Canadian government could or should have done to save the life of this Canadian citizen. Debates of this nature are inevitable as everyone seems to have an […]
Stalled info-sharing regime with U.S. now Liberal ‘priority,’ but privacy concerns remain
The federal privacy commissioner’s office is keeping an eye out for expected legislation from the Trudeau government that will cement into place the final bricks of a controversial personal information-sharing regime with the United States. The system, which trades personal identifying information back and forth when individuals enter or leave either country, was first proposed […]
Almost a year after it became law, Liberals slow to fix C-51
More than a year ago, New Democrats stood virtually alone in taking on the challenge of opposing Bill C-51 and suggesting better ways to keep Canadians safe in a world beset with terrorism and violent extremism. At the time the Liberals voted with the Conservatives but suggested C-51 needed some changes and better oversight. Since […]
Security oversight committee should include Senators, MPs
During the past three years that I have chaired the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence, we have studied and reported on the threats to national security. Our committee has noted that there remain areas for improvement in our national security strategy, particularly in the realms of: information sharing, review and accountability, and public communication […]
C-51 changes in ‘talks-about-talks’ phase, says advocacy group
Formal public consultations on changes to the controversial anti-terror law known a Bill C-51 have yet to begin, but an advocacy group is set to discuss with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale this week how the government should organize the talks. OpenMedia expects to meet with Mr. Goodale (Regina-Wascana, Sask.) on May 5 in Ottawa. […]
CBSA oversight, and more, needed before the next death behind bars
Good on Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale for recognizing the need to create a new body to oversee Canada’s border agency. Currently, there is no explicit review mechanism for it, he said. He told The Hill Times this week that the border agency “undoubtedly” needs a new oversight mechanism, a tool that goes beyond the parliamentary committee […]
‘Under constant attack’, minister warned of spying, sabotage ahead of cyber security review
As the public safety minister promises to talk to Canadians about and put more money into cyber security, opposition parties are criticizing the Liberals for being too vague about their plans to secure Canadian cyberspace. Briefing documents prepared for when Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale (Regina-Wascana, Sask.) started on the job last November say government systems are “under constant attack.” […]
