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New anti-terror bill gives CSIS more power at home and abroad

This week, the government introduced Bill C-44 that will give CSIS new powers at home and abroad, but it won't step-up its oversight. As we await new legislation coming next week that will increase police and RCMP powers, some wonder whether any of these proposed changes would have stopped either of the two who attacked Canadian soldiers last week....
CBC Radio ·
This week, the government introduced Bill C-44 that will give CSIS new powers at home and abroad, but it won't step-up its oversight. As we await new legislation coming next week that will increase police and RCMP powers, some wonder whether any of these proposed changes would have stopped either of the two who attacked Canadian soldiers last week.

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Minister of Public Safety Steven Blainey unveiled proposed anti-terror legislation this week. (CP/Sean Kilpatrick)

With this bill, it will bring clarity so that CSIS can work with our allies to share information, and in the same time we will also be able to have relying on our sources because we will give them confidentiality, as well as privacy, that they will be protected within the scope of the law.Steven Blaney, Public Safety Minister

Just days after the shooting on Parliament Hill, Steven Blaney, the Public Safety Minister unveiled proposed anti-terror legislation. Bill C-44 has been in the works for months, and is the first major change to the CSIS Act in more than 30 years.

Some say it just brings CSIS's powers in line with what it already does. Others worry such new powers are unnecessary and risk giving the spy agency too much strength with little oversight.

Louise Elliott is the Parliamentary Reporter for CBC National News joined us to explain what the Act entails She was in Ottawa.

To take a closer look at Bill C44, we convened two guests.

  • Paul Copeland is a Toronto-based human rights lawyer and the advocate for Mohamed Harkat, a man imprisoned under a security certificate.

  • Stockwell Day is a former Conservative Minister of Public Safety.


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This segment was produced by The Current's Josh Bloch and Sarah Grant.

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