2015.04.14
CWA Canada joins calls to scrap ‘secret police’ bill
Speaking on behalf of the thousands of journalists it represents, CWA Canada is demanding that the federal government abandon its anti-terror legislation.
It is the only media union among the more than 100 organizations and individuals who have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling for the “immediate and unconditional dismissal” of Bill C-51, which has been branded a “secret police” bill in many quarters. It comes up for a third and final vote after the House of Commons reconvenes on April 20.
The letter, authored by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), says the legislation “has been widely criticized by experts and Canadians across the country as being irresponsible, dangerous and ineffective.”
“Our members are keenly aware of the key role they play as pillars of our democracy,” says CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon. “It is their job as journalists, and our responsibility as a union, to speak out against any laws that would restrict Canadians’ rights and freedoms.”
He calls the bill "fundamentally flawed, irresponsible, and dangerous for democracy."
"Never in history have we seen so many respected Canadians, including four former prime ministers and hundreds of legal and other experts, speak out against a single piece of legislation. That speaks volumes about how bad this bill is,” says O’Hanlon.
"Every Canadian should be calling their MP to demand that this legislation be scrapped or seriously amended."
The bill has been condemned for giving unprecedented new powers to Canada’s spy agencies with no effective public oversight. The NDP’s Tom Mulcair, as leader of the Official Opposition, has led the charge in the House, while Green Party leader Elizabeth May says the bill is “about creating a secret police. It’s the death of freedom.”
Activist groups such as OpenMedia and Leadnow declared April 13-20 a Week of Education to Stop C-51. Canadians are being called upon to use petitions, letter writing, social media outreach, forums, flyering, marches, and canvassing to grow the numbers in opposition to the bill.
Delegates to CWA Canada’s annual National Representatives Council meeting will take some time out from sessions on Saturday, April 18, to participate in a march in Ottawa. Union members who live in the national capital region are encouraged to join the protesters, who will gather at 1 p.m. at the Prime Minister’s Office (Elgin & Wellington) and march to the Byward Market.
For interviews or more information, contact Martin O'Hanlon (email / 613-820-8460).