Tag Archives: Quebec Identitaire

CSIS Threat to Immigration Dissent

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CSIS Threat to Immigration Dissent
 
We urge all Canadian supporters to contact their MPs this week by e-mail, phone, FAX or in person and INSIST they vote against Bill C-51. This enhanced anti-terrorism law is nothing of the sort. It will criminalize certain types of communication, it will vastly expand the definition of threat to national security and will allow CSIS, with a warrant, to “disrupt” such activities — planting evidence, lying, stealing one’s computer, defaming one to one’s neighbours – (anything, except rape, murder or inflicting bodily harm). Now these activities are NOT terrorism.
 
Here is the definition of “threats to national security” above and beyond the sensible definitions — espionage, spying, sabotage or using serious acts of violence against persons or property to achieve political or other goals — already in the CSIS Act: “
“activity that undermines the security of Canada” means any activity, including any of the following activities, if it undermines the sovereignty, security or territorial integrity of Canada or the lives or the security of the people of Canada:
(a) interference with the capability of the Government of Canada in relation to intelligence, defence, border operations, public safety, the administration of justice, diplomatic or consular relations, or the economic or financial stability of Canada;”
 
“Territorial integrity of Canada”? Could that mean a separatist movement? “Public safety” is incredibly broad. Terrorist activities are ALREADY covered. Why these additional definitions.
 
Here is the legalese that allows CSIS “disruption” of these additional but apparently not terrorist threats to “national security”: “Part 4 amends the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to permit the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to take, within and outside Canada, measures to reduce threats to the security of Canada, including measures that are authorized by the Federal Court.”
 
Now, C-51 says: ”         
For greater certainty, it does not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression.”
 
Now, here’s the problem. If terrorist acts or plans are CSIS’s legitmate purview, then any of the activities covered in the new broad definitions, if they involved serious acts of violence, are already covered and the new wording is unnecessary. Or is this, really a massive expansions of the spy state?
 
Consider the story below whgich refers to the formation several months ago of a Canadian branch of PEGIDA, a peaaceful group iin Germany that has held weekly rallies for months against the Islamicization of Germany.
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'CSIS Threat to Immigration Dissent We urge all Canadian supporters to contact their MPs this week by e-mail, phone, FAX or in person and INSIST they vote against Bill C-51. This enhanced anti-terrorism law is nothing of the sort. It will criminalize certain types of communication, it will vastly expand the definition of threat to national security and will allow CSIS, with a warrant, to "disrupt" such activities -- planting evidence, lying, stealing one's computer, defaming one to one's neighbours - (anything, except rape, murder or inflicting bodily harm). Now these activities are NOT terrorism. Here is the definition of "threats to national security" above and beyond the sensible definitions -- espionage, spying, sabotage or using serious acts of violence against persons or property to achieve political or other goals -- already in the CSIS Act: " “activity that undermines the security of Canada” means any activity, including any of the following activities, if it undermines the sovereignty, security or territorial integrity of Canada or the lives or the security of the people of Canada: (a) interference with the capability of the Government of Canada in relation to intelligence, defence, border operations, public safety, the administration of justice, diplomatic or consular relations, or the economic or financial stability of Canada;" "Territorial integrity of Canada"? Could that mean a separatist movement? "Public safety" is incredibly broad. Terrorist activities are ALREADY covered. Why these additional definitions. Here is the legalese that allows CSIS "disruption" of these additional but apparently not terrorist threats to "national security": "Part 4 amends the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to permit the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to take, within and outside Canada, measures to reduce threats to the security of Canada, including measures that are authorized by the Federal Court." Now, C-51 says: " For greater certainty, it does not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression." Now, here's the problem. If terrorist acts or plans are CSIS's legitmate purview, then any of the activities covered in the new broad definitions, if they involved serious acts of violence, are already covered and the new wording is unnecessary. Or is this, really a massive expansions of the spy state? Consider the story below whgich refers to the formation several months ago of a Canadian branch of PEGIDA, a peaaceful group iin Germany that has held weekly rallies for months against the Islamicization of Germany. ' "Even if they are not drawing thousands into the streets, the Canadian government is apparently watching right-wing groups like PEGIDA, Québec Identitaire and the JDL closely. The Canadian Press reported on Tuesday that Canada’s spy agency (CSIS) recently advised the office of Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney of its concerns during a secret September briefing, noting that Canada’s burgeoning anti-Islam movement poses an 'ongoing risk, particularly as its proponents advocate violence.'” (National Post, March 5, 2015) This is largely a lie. The Jewish Defence League is listed in the U.S. as a terrorist group by the FBI. PEGIDA hasn't done anything public yet. Neither Quebec Identitaire, a nationalist group, or PEGIDA "advocate violence.| So much for the promise that threats to national security do " not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression." Even under the present CSIS Act, CSIS has repeatedly spied on non-violent dissent. Bill C-51 is a shameless power grab. Now is the time to speak up. Paul Fromm Director CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FREE EXPRESSION'
“Even if they are not drawing thousands into the streets, the Canadian government is apparently watching right-wing groups like PEGIDA, Québec Identitaire and the JDL closely. The Canadian Press reported on Tuesday that Canada’s spy agency (CSIS) recently advised the office of Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney of its concerns during a secret September briefing, noting that Canada’s burgeoning anti-Islam movement poses an ‘ongoing risk, particularly as its proponents advocate violence.’” (National Post, March 5, 2015) This is largely a lie. The Jewish Defence League is listed in the U.S. as a terrorist group by the FBI. PEGIDA hasn’t done anything public yet. Neither Quebec Identitaire, a nationalist group, or PEGIDA “advocate violence.| So much for the promise that threats  to national security do ” not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression.”
Even under the present CSIS Act, CSIS has repeatedly spied on non-violent dissent.
Bill C-51 is a shameless power grab. Now is the time to speak up.
Paul Fromm
Director
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FREE EXPRESSION