Trudeau talks tough on terrorism, but says laws must be balanced with rights

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has signalled his party may support the Conservative government’s forthcoming security legislation, while Official Opposition NDP leader Tom Mulcair says he is not sure last week’s shooting attack in Ottawa was terrorism.

Trudeau indicated Wednesday after a caucus meeting that he accepts the RCMP’s statements that recent attacks were “acts of terrorism.”

Later, he urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to create an all-party national security oversight committee to keep track of how security is beefed up. “Keeping Canadians safe in a way consistent with Canadian values is one of our highest responsibilities,” Trudeau told the House of Commons.

“In order to do that, we must ensure both the security of Canadians and the protection of their rights.”

Mulcair, meanwhile, said he was not yet persuaded that last week’s attacks by a lone gunman stem from terrorism.

Mulcair told reporters “I don’t think we have enough evidence to use that word.”

“When you look at the history of the individual involved, you see a criminal act, of course,” he added.
“But … I think that we’re not in the presence of a terrorist act in the sense that we would understand it.”

In the Commons, Mulcair asked Harper if he understands “the fundamental difference between the horrific acts of a profoundly disturbed individual and organized terror.” He said the opposition parties should be invited to help prepare the “best legislative reaction to these horrific events.”

The prime minister said there is no “contradiction” to people having financial or mental “difficulties” and also being engaged in “terrorist Jihadist activities.”

“We do not think it helps Canadians to do anything but address these matters head-on, face them for what they are,” said Harper.

The leaders’ statements came exactly one week after Cpl. Nathan Cirillo died at the hands of gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau at the National War Memorial. Zehaf-Bibeau then rushed into the Centre Block, where he was killed by security.

Two days earlier, another soldier was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Quebec.

The Conservative government says it will introduce new legislation to give security officials and police enhanced powers to detain people believed to be potential terrorists.

It is considering how to deal with people who condone terrorist attacks on the web, and how low the threshold should be for when security officials and police have “reasonable grounds” to act on suspicions someone might commit a terrorist act.

Justice Minister Peter MacKay said he believes there is “no question” that “radicalization” is occurring because of what people see on the web and that it is leading to the “poisoning of young minds.”

Political observers have questioned whether next year’s federal election could feature terrorism and security as hot issues that drive a wedge between the Conservatives and Liberals.

But on Wednesday, Trudeau said, “The RCMP was clear. These were acts of terrorism.

“Our first preoccupation is: Right now, what are the measures that need to be put into place to make sure that we’re effectively keeping Canadians safe?”

Trudeau was asked how important it is that the government walks the fine line between protecting Canadians’ safety without intruding on civil liberties and violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“I think the most important thing here is making sure that Canadians are safe,” he replied. “And Canadians will accept what we need to do to keep them safe.“

He suggested the government and parliamentarians can find the “proper balance” between security and civil liberties.

“It’s not a challenge unique to Canada. It’s certainly one that western democracies are facing. And I know that it is possible to do them both.”

Original Article
Source: canada.com/
Author:  BY MARK KENNEDY