If you’re Conservative MP Wai Young, apparently the answer to that question is “enact C-51.”
That’s what Young told the congregation at Vancouver South’s Harvest City Church during a Canada Day sermon, arguing that the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is working “in the same vein as Jesus Christ” by bringing in its controversial anti-terrorism law and tougher sentencing measures.
“We believe that Jesus served, he saved, but he acted as well. It’s because of these three things that his legacy has lasted over these millennia, over time,” she said.
“I want to share with you what I think about what our government is doing in the same vein. Jesus served and acted to always do the right thing, not the most popular thing and we know all the stories about the Bible that share with us about that. I want to let you know that our government will stand firm. We will always act and do the right thing.
“We’ve done that recently by protecting Canadians … I mentioned the Victim’s Bill of Rights. We’ve strengthened the consequences for crime and dangerous offenders every turn where possible. We’ve enacted Bill C-51, which the media says is over-reaching …”
As first reported by Press Progress, Young also assured churchgoers that had C-51 been in place 30 years ago, “Air India would never have happened.”
However, former Supreme Court Justice John Major said exactly the opposite earlier this spring, stating in an interview with the Globe & Mail that Air India was caused by a lack of communication between CSIS and the RCMP and that C-51 does not require the two agencies to work together. While the law allows them to share information, it does not require them to coordinate on threats or ensure that a national security advisor is determining when information must be shared between the agencies to enable action.
CSIS, said Major, “tends to hold on to the information rather than turn it over to the RCMP. Similarly, the RCMP is not without fault. The system just doesn’t work if there isn’t some way of ensuring that you have information-sharing. And there’s no way from what I’ve seen that the present proposed legislation is going to do that.”
Kent Roach, who testified during parliamentary committee hearings on the bill and also worked on the Air India inquiry, echoed that concern, telling iPolitics that C-51 does not solve the problems that led to the disaster.
“It does not require CSIS to share intelligence about possible terrorism offences.” Roach said. “There’s nothing in C-51 that would have prevented Air India.”
A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney declined to comment on the issue and referred all inquiries to Wai Young’s office.
Young’s office did not say why she made the suggestion that C-51 would have prevented the Air India attack when researchers have said otherwise.
“Our Government passed the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 because the threat of jihadi terrorism to Canada is real,” Young’s spokesperson said in an email. “Jihadi terrorists have named Canada as a target and are seeking to do us harm. That is why this legislation is important and necessary. I will continue to work with our government to ensure that Canadian communities are strengthened and protected.”
Several hours later, Young’s office issued a second statement correcting her assertion that C-51 would have prevented Air India.
“Last month, while speaking about the additional tools for law enforcement agencies provided in our government’s Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015, I misspoke with regards to the investigation of the Air India bombing,” she said in the press release. “What the Commission of Inquiry determined was that government agencies were in possession of significant pieces of information that would have led a competent analyst to conclude that Flight 182 was at high risk of being bombed by known Sikh terrorists. I regret this error.”
Almost immediately after Young’s comments came to light Tuesday morning, they spawned the hashtag #CPCJesus, which Twitter users used to share their thoughts on the matter.
Roughly one hour after it began, #CPCJesus had surpassed both of the top two trending hashtags – #PlutoFlyBy and #IranDeal – to take the top spot on Canada trends and remained there for much of the day.
Love your neighbor as yourself, unless you think he’s a jihadi, then dial 911. #CPCJesus
— Mr. Sinister (@mrsinisterlefty) July 14, 2015
#CPCJesus gives sermon on the mount, but no reporters allowed. #cdnpoli
— Beverly Frans (@BevOutside) July 14, 2015
If thouest shall be critical of my leaderness, thou wilst be audited. #CPCJesus — don jedlic (@stoughtonfreak) July 14, 2015
#CPCJesus says “Blessed are the TFWs for they are easy to expoit and keep wages low for everyone” #cdnpoli
— Beverly Frans (@BevOutside) July 14, 2015
After his trade agreement signing in Chelsea today, @pmharper shall walk back across the surface of the Ottawa River. #CPCJesus #cdnpoli
— Gary Spicer (@Mxhdroom) July 14, 2015
Thou art not lying if thy commit thy transgressions whilst cloaked in parliamentary privilege #CPCJesus
— Andrew K. (@prenerk) July 14, 2015
#CPCJesus The meek shall inherit nothing, for they lacked a sense of rugged individualism and refused to pull upon their bootstraps
— christo aivalis (@christoaivalis) July 14, 2015
Thou shalt not kill, unless it is facts, wildlife or the opposition. #CPCJesus
— Chris Markevich (@cmarkevich) July 14, 2015
Original Article
Source: ipolitics.ca/
Author: Amanda Connolly
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