Public Views on the Anti-Terrorism Act
(formerly Bill C-36)
APPENDIX B - DISCUSSION GUIDE (cont'd)
6. REACTION TO INVESTIGATIVE AND PREVENTIVE POWERS (10 minutes)
Police get new investigative powers and preventive. I'll show you a brief description of these powers, and would like your views. Moderator: Distribute Handout #sec5 "New Investigative and Preventive Powers."
- What do you think about these provisions in the legislation?
- Do you believe these are useful tools in stopping terrorist activities before they occur?
- Is this a useful approach to prevent terrorism and to safeguard us from potential danger?
- Did you know about these provisions?
- Would you like or do you think that the general public should have more information about these provisions?
7. REACTION TO SOME MECHANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH PREVENTIVE AND INVESTIGATIVE POWERS (10 MINUTES)
The new preventive and investigative hearing powers will disappear after 5 years (called a "sunset"
clause) unless both the House of Commons and the Senate pass a resolution to extend them for another 5 years.
- 1. What do you think of this aspect of the law (the sunset clause)?
The Attorney General and Solicitor General of Canada are required to report annually to Parliament on the use of these new powers.
- 2. How do you feel about this obligation to report to Parliament?
- 3. Do you know that the Department of Justice and the Solicitor General of Canada (now Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada) tabled their first report in Parliament in May 2003?
- 4. Do you know that this report is available to the public and can be obtained from the Departments' Internet sites or by phone?
- 5. Do you think this reporting requirement and sunset clause will provide enough opportunity for Parliament and Canadians to monitor how the Act is being used and to prevent its misuse?
- 6. Some people worry that the police might abuse these new powers and unfairly target legitimate citizens? How concerned are you about this?
- Are you concerned that the police might unfairly target Canadians with a minority ethnic background? Why/why not?
- Is this an acceptable risk - to give better protection to the country and the people, or not acceptable?
8. FINAL THOUGHTS-IMPACTS OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM LAW ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES (30 minutes)
Now that we have discussed a few important aspects of the new Canada's Anti-terrorism Act
- Definition of a terrorist activity
- Listing of terrorist entities
- New provisions dealing with conditions, preventive arrest and detention, investigative powers
- Financing of terrorism
- Have any aspects of the legislation had an impact on you personally in your daily activities? How about on your family, friends, work colleagues, and neighbours?
- In your judgement, has the Canadian Anti-terrorism Act had an impact on the following activities: By impact I mean, on you personally? On your family, friends, work colleagues, and neighbours? Or anyone else that you know?
- Daily activities such as on public transit, streets, restaurants, etc.
- Worship
- Encounters with police
- Social relationships
- Attendance to public events and recreational activities such as going to a movie or theatre
- Relationships with other people from your family, friends, work colleagues, and neighbours?
- Children in schools
- Travel in and outside Canada
- Dealings with Canada customs
- Dealings with other Canadian government services
- Commercial transactions such as buying or renting a house or apartment
- Job and workplace
- Other
- Do you feel more safe and secure or less safe and secure, now that you know some elements of the Canadian anti-terrorism legislation?
- Any other final comments?
THANK - CONCLUDE
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