GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WELCOMES PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW OF ANTI-TERRORISM ACT

OTTAWA, December 14, 2004 – The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler today welcomed the Parliamentary review of the Anti-terrorism Act.

A motion was adopted by the House of Commons on Thursday, December 9, authorizing the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to conduct the review. The Senate also adopted a similar motion yesterday, establishing a Special Committee to undertake its own, separate, review.

"The legislation is intended to protect the safety, security and fundamental rights of Canadians. Parliament decided in 2001 that the law should be reviewed after three years. The Government supports this process and will do whatever it can to assist Members of Parliament and Senators in their work," said Minister Cotler.

"The threat of terrorism remains very real and by its nature continues to present new challenges. I look forward to working with the two Committees to ensure that the Act continues to meet the demands we face, while respecting the values we share," said Minister McLellan.

The Anti-terrorism Act targets terrorism on a comprehensive basis, and is a major element of the Government’s Anti-Terrorism Plan. One of the safeguards included in the Act is the requirement that it be reviewed by Parliament within three years of Royal Assent, which was given on December 18, 2001. Under section 145, Parliamentarians are called upon to conduct a comprehensive review of the "provisions and operation" of the Act.

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Ref.:

• Denise Rudnicki
  Office of the Honourable Irwin Cotler
  Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
  613-992-4621

• Alex Swann
  Director of Communications
  Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  613-991-2863