National security review must look beyond terrorism, expert tells MPs

The government also recently opened an online consultation soliciting feedback on issues ranging from sharing information and preventing attacks to conducting surveillance and ensuring intelligence agencies are accountable.

In last year’s election campaign, the Liberals promised to repeal “problematic elements” of omnibus security legislation, known as Bill C-51, ushered in by the previous Conservative government.

The bill gave the Canadian Security Intelligence Service explicit powers to disrupt terrorist threats, not just gather information about them.

The legislation also created a new offence of promoting the commission of terrorist offences and broadened the government’s no-fly list powers. In addition, it expanded the sharing of federally held information about activity that “undermines the security of Canada.”

The Trudeau government has committed to ensure all CSIS warrants respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, preserve legitimate protest and advocacy, and define terrorist propaganda more clearly.

The Liberals say they say will do a better job of balancing collective security with rights and freedoms.

Wark expressed concern the discussion is being framed too narrowly.

“I think it’s vital that we begin to have a larger conversation about national security,” he told the committee.

“The sooner we broaden that discussion, the better off we’ll be.”

Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien said it is crucial that there be more transparency about national security so that Canadians can better understand the issues.

“Obviously there are limits to transparency when you talk about national security,” he said during the committee meeting. “But there is no doubt in my mind that more can and should be done.”

Therrien said his office would publish a written response to the government’s consultation paper.

— Follow @JimBronskill on Twitter

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

National security review must look beyond terrorism, expert tells MPs

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