While Prime Minister Trudeau promised that he would “fix” Bill C-51, the passage of Bill C-59 not only doesn’t address many of the fundamental human rights concerns in Bill C-51, it also creates an even worse cyber surveillance regime. It continues to allow the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to have the chilling and undefined powers of “disruption” and to be able to violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As we can see with the recent actions of CSIS to enable collecting databases of our information, this is just the beginning.
In 2015, the Working Group to Stop Bill C-51 was formed in Vancouver to fight back in defence of our rights. The group continues to organize bi-weekly actions across Metro Vancouver transit stations, although as of this report, the public protests are temporarily suspended due to Covid-19.
Looking back to the last actions, on February 3 the 231st bi-weekly action demanding “Cancel Bill C-51 and C-59” was held at Main Street Skytrain Station in Vancouver. Many people transiting through this busy area stopped at the info table under the big colourful banner reading “Repeal Bill C-51 and C-59!”. On February 25, the 232nd action was held at Surrey Central Skytrain Station, where passersby stopped to sign on to a petition against Bill C-51 and C-59. On March 2, the 233rd action was held at Joyce Collingwood Skytrain station in Burnaby. This was another great opportunity to hand out information and talk to those passing through.
While the challenging situation regarding Covid-19 has kept these actions from hitting the streets, the Working Group to Stop Bill C-51 will be organizing activities soon – check Twitter @StopBillC51 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepealBillC51or www.repealbillc51.org
Follow Janine on Twitter: @janinesolanki
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