ETHI Committee Report

SCISA: One part of a larger problem

The New Democratic Party dissenting opinion

Through its Bill C-51, the previous government gave broad, far-reaching powers to Canada’s security agencies. These powers unnecessarily comprise Canadians’ civil liberties.

In order to protect the rights and freedoms of Canadians, we must turn away from the path laid out by C-51. Concentrating too much power in the hands of any one person or organization, no matter how well intentioned at the outset, is a recipe for abuse and injustice.

The Security of Canada Information Sharing Act (SCISA) is a foundational element of the regime envisioned in C-51 and should be repealed, as recommended by a number of witnesses, along with all the other elements of that bill. 

New Democrats are open to conversations with our security agencies about how to better protect Canadians, while at the same time respecting their rights and freedoms.  

Some of the committee’s recommendations are laudable. They should be considered in a comprehensive review of our security practices and culture.

However, to endorse these recommendations for changes to SCISA in a context where the other elements of C-51 remain largely unaddressed would send the wrong message. It would suggest that C-51 largely got it right, and that a little tinkering could fix the problems it created.

In fact, Canada needs to affirm, in no uncertain terms, the value and integrity of Canadians’ rights and freedoms by rejecting the C-51 regime and repealing its many elements. Such a repeal would set the context for a real, meaningful dialogue about rights, freedoms and security risks in Canada; one that could lead to important reform that does not run roughshod over the rights of Canadians.

Once the table is set for that dialogue, it may prove fruitful to return to some of the recommendations in this report. Until then, we need to prioritize critique of a security culture in Canada that does not provide enough protection to Canadians from arbitrary interference by the state.