February 22, 2012 - RMCLA condemns Bill C-30
Bill C-30 is a significant threat to Canadians' personal freedoms
The federal Bill C-30 ("An Act to enact the Investigating and Preventing Criminal Electronic Communications Act and to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts"), is a significant threat to personal freedoms in Canada. It is especially threatening to freedom of expression and our freedom to be secure from unreasonable search and seizure.
Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that, “Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.” Bill C-30 goes against this fundamental right. The legislation gives law enforcement agencies unprecedented powers, including:
The Bill also compels service providers to install technologies enabling remote surveillance of communications (internet and otherwise) that will give police, RCMP, and CSIS officials access to real-time communications. This back door not only opens up communications systems (internet, cell phones, etc.), but it also places police in the position of too easily abusing their powers, and opens communications to those who might wish to hack into such systems.
Inspectors of the new technologies will be appointed by the Minister and have full access to private information. There does not appear to be sufficent controls in place over inspectors to protect people's private communications. It opens the door for dissenting views against the government to be monitored or suppressed, and those giving these messages to be tracked.
About RMCLA
The Rocky Mountain Civil Liberties Association is an Alberta organization based in Calgary founded to promote respect for and observance of fundamental human rights and civil liberties. Our work aims to defend and ensure the protection of individual rights, freedoms and liberties.
For more information, media may contact:
Kelly Ernst, Secretary-Treasurer
Rocky Mountain Civil Liberties Association
secretary@rmcla.ca
www.rmcla.ca
