Letters

Bill C-36, Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act

November 17, 2004

Dear Editor

The Canadian Government introduced Bill C-36, Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act, in the wake of public indignation about the disgusting 9-11 events. The concern of the Members of Parliament for the safety and well-being of Canadians is commendable, and the measures taken by the Members of Parliament in 2001 seemed necessary and even forced.

In their present and future deliberations about Bill C-36 I request MPs take very seriously the preamble to Bill-C-36, stating, "Canadians and people everywhere are entitled to live their lives in peace, freedom and security."

Canadian's entitlement to "peace, freedom and security" is not just threatened by terrorists. Our entitlement to "peace, freedom and security" is also threatened by the potential for abuse by the participants of the Canadian Justice System.

It is a well-established truth that participants of the Canadian Justice System abuse their powers daily.

Just perusing the newspapers over the last few days I find that former chief justice, Robert Taschereau, was an "incoherent alcoholic" while still chief justice, yet still no proper vetting of judicial appointments takes place.

The Vancouver Police Department has had a series of incidents involving officers who have abused their powers. Recently, allegations have been made that two officers "fabricated evidence" in a murder investigation.

Furthermore, one reads daily in newspapers of the incompetence of CSIS officers in their investigation into the alleged Air India bombers - even prior to the bombs being delivered to the airport.

Moreover, any attempts to revise and improve the practice and habits of participants of the Canadian Justice System are frustrated and stymied. The vested interest participants of the Canadian Justice System, like Police Departments, judges, lawyers, prosecuting attorneys, etc. preclude serious examination.

For example, the "civilian" Deputy Chief of the Vancouver Police Department recently left the force after "just one year into a five-year contract," amid allegations that he did not fit into the "police culture" with its inculcated, well-defined and defended system of mores, morals, and standards.

I urge Members of Parliament consider not only

        1. Whether the government and police have abused their powers with the present Bill C-36, and/or

        2. Whether the potential for abuse is too great to permit Bill C-36 to continue as presently constituted,

but also, to accept that the acts of terrorism that "threaten Canada's political institutions, the stability of the economy and the general welfare of the country" take place daily, perpetrated by participants of the Canadian Justice System.

As an ordinary citizen of Canada the danger to my "peace, freedom and security" from terrorists is remote and negligible. However, the danger to my "peace, freedom and security" from rogue elements of participants of the Canadian Justice System will increase if Canada's Parliament does not jettison Bill C-36 and address the concerns, in a serious and sober manner, that I have listed above.

Sincerely

Elmer G. Wiens