The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

continued from p.1 of Public Safety noting Bill C-51 was conceived partially in response to October's attack on Parliament Hill. "It is an opportunity to focus on the gaps and the problems we have with keeping Canadians safe and what are the things we need to change," said Van Loan. "The big challenge is that national security and delivering security could be a bottomless pit. You are never going to be able to deliver complete 100 per cent security for your people. You would bankrupt the country and surrender all your civil liberties. The challenge has always been to find the right balance." Van Loan said the proposed Act would: ·Make it a criminal offence to advocate or promote terrorism ·Allow the government to remove Internet content that promotes terrorism ·Provide the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) powers to address security threats ·Expand Canada's no-fly list to include individuals suspected of travelling to participate in terrorist activities ·Provide police and intelligence services with powers to arrest and hold someone for seven days if there is a reasonable belief they are about to conduct a terrorist activity ·Allow government departments to share information with law enforcement when there is a suspected threat to national security Changes `necessary' Van Loan said these changes to the legislation are necessary given the threats Canada now faces. "The fact is we live in a new world right now. I don't know how long this is going to be the case, but jihadists have expressly targeted Canada. They have said it in their public statements," said Van Loan. "Our involvement in Afghanistan, our involvement in Iraq in dealing with the Islamic State right now, these are things that we think are important to make the world a safer place...A side effect of this is that we are more of a target than we already were, but there should be no illusions. We were Protesters voice concerns over proposed Anti-Terrorism Act CSIS will be doing," she said. "CSIS, up until now, could only report on issues. Now it will be able to take action. There is going to be a real chill on freedom of expression." Van Loan argued CSIS must receive warrants from a judge for it to act with these new expanded powers. He said those engaged in lawful protests have nothing to fear from this legislation because it is still against the law for CSIS to conduct surveillance of them. LeFrancois said her group is not the only one with concerns about Bill C-51. She pointed out that Amnesty International, four former prime ministers, five former Supreme Court judges and the Assembly of First Nations all have issues with the bill. Demonstrations On Saturday, March 14, thousands of Canadians participated in 70 demonstrations across the country against Bill C-51. The bill survived its second reading in the House of Commons in February. It is not clear when it will return to the House of Commons for its third reading. 3 | Friday, March 20, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com CUSTOM EVENT MARCH 28 20% OFF CUSTOM CLOTHING FROM COPPLEY Conservative MP and House Leader Peter Van Loan discusses aspects of Bill C-51 at a breakfast meeting held by Oakville MP Terence Young. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) already a target because of our values and way of life." LeFrancois acknowledged the terrorist threat exists, but argued eroding Canada's civil liberties to combat it is not the way to go. She said some of these proposed changes could be used against peaceful protesters, restrict freedom of expression and breach the privacy of Canadian citizens. The government's intention to give CSIS additional power to address security threats was of particular concern to LeFrancois. "There is so little oversight in this bill. There is nobody to really monitor what ALL DAY AT 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, Ont. www.burrowsclothiers.com 905-842-0232 Don't Compromise on Driver Training upComing Courses march 28, 29 April 11, 12 2 Weekends 9:30 am to 3:30 pm April 25, 26, may 2, 3 2 Weekends 9:30 am to 3:30 pm may 5,7,12,14,19,21,26,28 Tuesdays/Thursdays 4 weeks evenings Located in Downtown Oakville for over 25 years! www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200