Tuesday, February 27, 2007

No reauthorization

The House of Commons voted tonight to kill the two provisions of the Anti-Terror law that were set to sunset on Thursday without authorization to extend -- detention without warrant for 72 hours and investigative hearings. The vote was 159-124. Interesting that twelve Liberals either voted with PMS or chose to abstain. Also interesting that Bob Rae, currently not in Parliament, was urging reauthorization while Michael Ignatieff who was once strongly in favour of even more draconian measures to deal with terror threats voted against.

The provisions may have expired and in a way I'm glad they did, but there is still a very real threat out there. It would be prudent on the part of PMS not to suggest the opposition parties support terrorism -- instead, I would urge that some new way to address imminent dangers be passed that would both protect Canadians and withstand a Charter challenge.

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