The Libertarian Party of Canada Opposes Bill C-51 (Main website)

The Conservative government, with the support of the Liberal Party, is seeking to pass new anti-terror legislation with Bill C-51.

The Libertarian Party of Canada opposes this legislation wholeheartedly. Although everyone wants to stop terrorism, this bill represents a huge step backwards. It is yet another example where Canadians are being forced to sacrifice privacy for what is being called security.

The Bill will give Canada’s spy agencies more powers and more jurisdiction over the private information of innocent Canadian citizens, with no increase in civilian oversight. It also significantly increases the domestic powers of CSIS, and the ability to place people on a no fly list. What makes this Bill especially concerning, is the fact that there is lots of room for interpretation. It significantly and arbitrarily limits free expression, subjects Canadians to ever increasing privacy breaches, and raises questions about foreign travel data–which is being shared with foreign surveillance agencies.

We recognize violent ideologies, such as Islamic extremism, are a threat to Canadians. That being said, we know that US foreign policy over the last 3 decades has contributed to the rise of this threat and following their prescription is unlikely to do anything but make the problem worse. Our party is committed to solutions that work, that don’t include invading privacy, diminishing due process, or meddling in foreign countries. We want solutions that include a strong military to protect our country and a well armed citizenry.

The Libertarian Party of Canada prides itself on our steadfast dedication to protecting the civil liberties of innocent Canadians, and we plan on making privacy an election issue this election

More Liberty not less liberty is the answer.

Sincerely,

Tim Moen- Leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada

Comments by Alan Mercer

This is an excellent statement by Tim Moen. I’m happy to hear someone express these points.

We’re living in a more and more oppressive atmosphere–generated by constant, ridiculous propaganda–and there is a more and more critical need for all sorts of people to come forward and try to preserve the things that are good about our way of life.

I’m not interested in giving blanket support for particular political candidates and parties at this time.

I only know myself and what my own motivations and goals are.

Organizations of different kinds aren’t going to cut it when it comes to truth-telling. I know that for sure.

We only know ourselves, and we need all sorts of individuals who know themselves and who speak the truth to the extent they understand it. Maybe we need to go further. Maybe Canadians need to hear information that shatters the false reality we’ve lived under for hundreds of years.

Otherwise, the future is completely predictable. It’s completely planned.

Personally, I think there is a large minority of Canadians who could change things for the better if they decided to get outside of their pre-fabricated, color-coded ideological boxes to make common cause around basic values such as the ones discussed in this press release.