Manley on the Anti Terrorism Act

From Macleans new interactive-ness
John Manley:
The provisions of Bill C-36 were the subject of lengthy and heartfelt debate, both in Cabinet and in Parliament at the time of their adoption. I think Canadians would have found it reassuring to hear their government struggling with a profoundly important question, namely: what are the appropriate limitations on civil liberties when the security and well-being of the public are threatened?

I believe that Cabinet and Parliament got the balance right in 2001-02. And I do not believe that anything has changed to make that balance inappropriate today. The special powers contained in C-36 are far less draconian than comparable measures adopted in other western democracies, such as the United Kingdom. The very fact that these powers have not been used in Canada satisfies me that they have not been abused. If ever they are used, I believe there are adequate checks on the use of these powers, such as mandatory judicial review, to ensure that they are not abused.

The most important responsibility of government is the preservation of order and the protection of its citizens. And the most important civil liberty is freedom from fear of harm on the part of the civilian population, without which our other liberties mean very little. The anti-terrorism law did not violate the Charter of Rights as some have claimed. If ever needed, it may be key to protecting our citizens from
serious harm, enabling them to enjoy the rights that the Charter guarantees them.