Government bolsters rights and security in comprehensive proposed legislation

OTTAWA, June 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada is following through on one of its key commitments by tabling proposed legislation that will enhance Canada's national security and safeguard Canadians' rights and freedoms.

The comprehensive bill covers a wide range of measures that were informed by the views and opinions provided by engaged citizens, stakeholders, experts, parliamentarians and others during the broad public consultation held last fall.

With the legislation and other measures, the Government is:

enhancing accountability and transparency through a proposed National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, a new Intelligence Commissioner, and a 6-point commitment to national security transparency;
fulfilling its commitments to address former Bill C-51 through proposed revisions to threat reduction measures under the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, amendments to the Criminal Code, improvements to the Secure Air Travel Act and revisions to the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act;
strengthening security and protecting rights by proposing updates to keep pace with evolving threats through measures such as modernizing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, establishing the Communications Security Establishment Act, and making other legislative updates.

Taken together, the Government's package of proposed measures represents extensive and much-needed improvements to Canada's national security framework that will make Canada more secure, its agencies more accountable and its laws more just.

The Government will fully support parliamentary committees as they examine this comprehensive legislation in the months to come. The Government looks forward to constructive discussions that will ensure the legislation meets the objective of keeping Canadians safe and protecting their rights and freedoms.

Quotes

"Canadians were clear in the consultation that they expect their rights and freedoms to be protected at the same time as their security. The measures introduced today reflect that expectation and strengthen Canada's ability to address evolving threats."
– Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The National Security reform we have put forward today demonstrates this Government's commitment to ensuring that our laws are fair, effective and respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We are addressing national security threats while continuing to protect the democratic values, rights and freedoms of all Canadians."
– Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"CSE operates in a rapidly changing technological world. The proposed CSE Act will maintain CSE's ability to provide the Government of Canada with essential intelligence necessary to protect Canadians and will help strengthen our national cyber defences, while at the same time increasing transparency, accountability, and oversight of these activities. "
– Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Kathleen Davis, Office of the Minister of Justice, 613-992-4621; Jordan Owens, Office of the Minister of the National Defence, 613-996-3100, jordan.owens@forces.gc.ca; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657; Media Relations, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, 613-231-0100, Media-medias@smtp.gc.ca; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, media@justice.gc.ca; Media Relations, Communications Security Establishment, 613-991-7248, media@cse-cst.gc.ca

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Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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