Friday May 8th, 2015 – 11am
Posted May 8, 2015 11:46:06 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
11:00 – BlackBerry petition
Michael Harris, MPP, Kitchener Conestoga
A local MPP is defending the use of BlackBerry in the House of Commons. Michael Harris, who represents Kitchener Conestoga, says he’s outraged by the actions of a fellow member of provincial parliament. Harris an anti-blackberry petition has been presented by the Liberal member from Etobicoke-North, Shafiq Qaadri and has suggested that using Blackberry “is handicapping, retarding and penalizing MPP’s.” Harris goes on to say that smartphones are paid for by taxpayers – and the public expects that the most secure workspace is used. The company is well known for its focus on security – and is used by all G7 governments. Qaadri did not respond to repeated interview/statement requests.
<DIRECT QUOTE> “Whereas the Legislative Assembly has for years maintained a BlackBerry-only policy in a valiant effort to buy Canadian, but this approach is handicapping, retarding and penalizing MPPs, their staff and indeed all members of the legislative community”
11:30 – Bill C51 – what does it mean?
Justin Ling, Parliamentary Correspondent, VICE News
The federal government’s controversial new anti-terrorism bill won the approval of the House of Commons earlier this week. The Anti-Terrorism Act, also known as Bill C-51, easily passed third reading by a margin of 183 to 96, thanks to the Conservative government’s majority and the promised support of the third-party Liberals. The legislation gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service more power to thwart suspected terrorist plots – not just gather information about them. It also increases the exchange of federal security information, broadens no-fly list powers and creates a new criminal offence of encouraging someone to carry out a terrorist attack. In addition, the bill makes it easier for the RCMP to obtain a peace bond to restrict the movements of suspects and extend the amount of time they can be kept in preventative detention. Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney has said the legislation is required to keep Canadians safe from jihadi-inspired attacks like those that claimed the lives of two soldiers in attacks just days apart last October. Opponents of the bill have denounced the idea of allowing CSIS to go beyond gathering information to actively derailing suspected schemes.
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