The Canadian National Newspaper: Canadian Tories applaud defeat of Stephen Harper far right government's anti-terrorism legislation

Canadian Tories applaud defeat of Stephen Harper far right government's anti-terrorism legislation

TORONTO - The Tracy Parson-led Federal Tory Progressive Canadian (PC) Party congratulated the other opposition parties in standing up to the government's insistence that we continue to suspend Charter Rights. "9/11 is more than 5 years behind us. The government has had time to put in place laws and structures to fight terrorism which respect our Charter of Rights," says Leader Tracy Parsons. "Parliament approved this extraordinary legislation while the horror of 9/11 was still fresh in our minds. Yet they still had the wisdom to insist on a sunset clause. It's time to respect that right."

The PC party are Tories who are former supporters of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, before it was essentially taken over by the far-right Alberta-based Alliance Party and Reform Party Establishments. This far-right fringe group currently operates under the misleading name "Conservative Party of Canada". The PC party had been Canada's oldest party, which was responsible for inspiring the Confederation of Canada in 1867, under the vital leadership of Sir John A. Macdonald.

As Federal Tory loyalists, the Progressive Canadian Party takes the position that the Canadian government must respect Charter rights and that, as the courts have clearly indicated, there are alternatives that can balance the security needs of the public with powers required to fight global terrorism. Indeed, former Tory Progressive Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker championed Canadian leadership on human rights at home in Canada, and abroad in the United Nations, against then apartheid South Africa.

The Tory PC Party has been consistent in the defence of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "You can't have rule of law, unless you observe the rules of law" stated party president Jim Love. "And frankly, you'll forgive me if I'm more than a little afraid of this government having extraordinary powers over anyone they deem to be a subversive. We've seen members of the government, right up to the Prime Minister, engaged in vicious smears of anyone who gets in their way."

"Paul Martin was labelled as being soft on child pornography. Some poor Liberal back bencher was targeted with innuendo about his father having some involvement with the Air India bombing. And as I recall it, when the initial questions were being asked about Maher Arar, Mr. Harper was muttering about how looking into Arar's abduction was somehow being 'soft on terrorism."

Former Tory Progressive Conservative (PC) Cabinet Minister Sinclair Stevens noted that "the government had never used the extraordinary powers that were falling with the sunset clause. The government, while acting like the end of the world has been declared, actually retains substantial powers to fight terrorism within the constructs of the Charter."

Tory Party Leader Tracy Parsons added that this was more than symbolic. "People depend on Canada to defend human rights. It's no surprise that Nelson Mandella, once held in detention as a terrorist, has always had a affection for Canada. It was our government that pressed for his release. How could we seek to intervene on behalf of those who are facing secret trials and a host of abuses in the world today while we keep laws that essentially allowed our government the same powers? We'd be laughed at."

"I do a lot of international travel and frankly, I'm getting more afraid of this government and what it will or will not do to protect those who criticize it. I used to have such a feeling of safety being a Canadian overseas. I never thought I'd say that but I'm starting to wonder if I'd be regarded as dispensable." stated Tory Party President Jim Love. "And if I'm feeling that way as a middle class white guy, what are visible minorities thinking?"

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