As Spring came into full bloom in May, the
Working Group to Stop Bill C-51 went
into the streets in full force throughout
the Lower Mainland of British Columbia,
continuing to demand a repeal of “Secret
Police” Bill C-51 and the scrapping
of Bill C-59. After several months
of a Parliamentary
Committee on Bill
C-59, it is clearer than
ever that not only is
Bill C-59 not a fix
for Bill C-51, but this
Committee is a farce
attempting legitimatize
further erosion of
democratic and human
rights.
Tim McSorley,
National Coordinator of
the International Civil
Liberties Monitoring
Group who participated
in the Committee
observed, “I sat through
the hours of debate on each clause of the
bill. Systematically, opposition motions
were rejected, on often the flimsiest
grounds. No amendments were made
that didn’t go in the direction that the
government had already set out.”
On May 7th, the Working Group
went to 29th Avenue Station in South
Vancouver for the first time. It was a
great opportunity to meet and engage
new people in this important campaign.
Banner drops were also held in South and
Downtown Vancouver during rush-hour
traffic and were well-received by loud and
constant honks. Two Australian tourists
approached the downtown banner drop
to thank the Committee for its work,
“The government is doing the same thing
in our country as well.”
The Working Group also held an action at
22nd Street Station in New Westminster,
which continues to be the one of the
most receptive areas. The information
table was constantly busy and there were
many different discussions with workers
and students. While at this station,
the Working Group had an important
interview on a Spanish-English Radio
Show “America Latina Al Dia” that
provided a great opportunity to outreach
to the local Latin American community.
As the month came to an end, the
Government of Canada announced
a $4.5 billion purchase of the heavily
opposed Kinder Morgan pipeline and
associated expansion project. It is no
coincidence that Bill C-51’s vague
language allows the Canadian Security
Intelligence Service (CSIS) to prevent
any person or group from “undermining
the security of Canada,” including
“interference with critical infrastructure”
and the “economic or financial stability of
Canada”. With this dangerous wording
the government has authorized itself
to target those organizing against the
pipeline, or standing up for their rights
in any number of other legitimate ways.
Next month will start with the 170th
weekly action, which will also mark the
infamous three year anniversary of the
passing of Bill C-51. It is important
to continue organizing and educating
people in the streets to demand the repeal
Bill C-51 and scrapping of Bill C-59.
We must send a clear message to the
Government of Canada that we will not
allow our human and democratic rights
to be trampled on.
Follow Max Tennant on Twitter: @maxtennant
Follow Thomas Davies on Twitter: @thomasdavies59
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