The Anth Zone

Lady Liberty’s grin will be gleaming down on the House of Commons this evening after the opposition joined together in a trilateral force to protect the civil liberties of Canadians by successfully defeating the extension of the anti-terrorism measures.

Irwin Colter abstained because he felt, “the fact that [the provisions] have not been used means that they have not been abused, but they maybe needed in the future.” I can understand the position that Colter has taken and I agree with him to a degree. The measures could protect us in the future from acts of terrorism on Canadian soil in the future. The likelihood of such an attack has heightened since September 11th.

The federal government has been reminded that they cannot use a permanent felt marker to blackout the freedoms that are guaranteed under the national charter.

Under the former provisions under the anti-terrorism act the following sections were ‘blacked out’: ‘right to life, liberty, and security of person’ (s.7), ‘right from unreasonable search and seizures’ (s.8), ‘freedom from arbitrary detainment or imprisonment’ (s.9), ‘right to be informed of reasons for arrest including the right to retain counsel upon arrest’ (s.10), & ‘rights in criminal and penal matters such as the right to presumed innocent until proven guilty’ (s.11).

The highest court in the country has ruled unanimously against the security certificate system because it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The government used this program to detain foreign born nationals without due process or be faced with deportation to a nation that sponsors torture.

The Supreme Court has given the government one year to amend the law; Stockwell Day has said the government is ‘optimistic’ to make the necessary changes pertaining to the court’s rulings on the security certificates. The federal government’s responsibility is not to have national security infringe on the civil liberties declared in our constitution.

Your moment of zen.

Oh, Bev Oda!

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff are expected to visit with Peter MacKay, David Emerson, & Stockwell Day on February 23rd in Ottawa to discuss the ways on how Canada should improve border security.

I do agree with that border security is a very important sensitive issue; the United States doesn’t realize that this is a bilateral decision where both sides should take charge and not a unilateral decision by the United States’ Government to enforce on the Government of Canada.

CTV’s Robert Fife stated, “Americans are very concerned that Canada is dragging its feet.” There hasn’t been any polling researched done on the question, articles relative to the issue on American newsprint or websites, or report on American news broadcasts that I’ve searched Google for and ended up empty handed. I am pretty sure that Mr. Fife meant Americans as in their elected officials in the Bush Administration.

In regards of this information I have learnt: I am pretty sure that Peter MacKay has the entire weekend planned with his newfound love, Condi. The itinerary planned so far is; Tim Horton’s, Tim Horton’s and more Tim Horton’s. Of course they’ll get to the heart of the matter and I’ll be reporting more on PetCon over the course of the visit.