Justice in Canada
In the Viewpoint, February 11, “Importance of choice highlights decision,” Paul Schachter writes the “effective pain relief is often not achievable.” I would argue that it is sometimes not achievable. He also writes that in reaching their decision the justices confirmed that there was no evidence of inordinate impact on socially vulnerable populations in those countries and jurisdictions that permit physician-assisted dying. In fact, there is much evidence, probably because there is so much of it happening. This evidence was presented to the justices by interveners in the Carter case.
If the justices chose to ignore this evidence in reaching their decision, it is a very sad day for Canada’s justice system, and particularly for those vulnerable populations they deemed not worthy of their consideration.
Kathy Kiernan
Highway 101
Finding a balance
Bill C-51, the new anti-terrorism bill, has sparked much debate, and touched upon a prevailing theme in democracy: the tension between security and individual rights, specifically, freedom of expression.
The new law would bring about at least three changes designed to increase the security of Canadians in a world which has just seen the attacks in France, Australia, Belgium, and, of course, here at home, in St. Jean Sur Richelieu and Ottawa [“MP recalls events,” October 29, 2014].
A government’s most important duty is to ensure its people’s security. That is the paramount intention of Bill C-51. The bill specifically attempts to prevent terrorist travel, disrupt planned attacks on Canadian soil, and criminalize the incitement of terrorism. The bill also expands the powers of Canadian Security Intelligence Service to allow it to “disrupt” suspected terrorist threats. The proposed legislation includes checks and balances to ensure it respects the rights of Canadians.
I believe in the protection of our freedoms and liberties, a belief that ties into our common-law protections going back to the Magna Carta, and what motivated Canadians to fight in two World Wars. This belief motivated me with others to create the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF), to stand up for individuals whose rights are menaced by overreaching governments.
But who stands for the right of anyone to promote terrorism?
Meanwhile, the Charter, our courts, and organizations like the CCF are all there to prevent governments from using anti-sedition laws merely as tools to put down political opposition.
Knowing what we know about the metastasizing of terrorism, we have to take measures to stop the violence before it starts. In a world in which violent enemies are constantly changing, our government needs to be nimble, to adapt our laws in response to evolving challenges.
Bill C-51 tries to arrive at a correct balance. Meanwhile, the healthy debate will always pit security against individual liberties to a certain extent. But, in a sense, there is no conflict; the two objectives—security and freedom—are not really in conflict; rather, they are co-dependent. Without one, we cannot have the other.
John Weston, MP
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
Bravo to councillors
I would like to take this opportunity to give a huge pat on the back and a well done to City of Powell River Councillors Karen Skadsheim, Rob Southcott, CaroleAnn Leishman and Russell Brewer for finally putting this co-treatment disaster-in-the-making issue to bed [“City pursues own liquid waste management plant,” February 11].
Taxpayers have never been well served by politics getting into bed with corporations. Their agendas are completely different with a corporation simply after profits. Public infrastructure must remain in public hands to stave off the potential hostage taking in the name of profits. This altar of Public/Private Partnerships the various governments worship at have been a series of financial nightmares for the citizens and taxpayers, with benefits going only to a very wealthy few.
I am extremely gratified to see our new council seeing this pitfall and taking steps to mitigate it. I appreciate these excellent people who are doing their duty for the citizens of Powell River, and not just for Catalyst Paper Corporation. Well done to them.
Cameron Bailey
Huntingdon Street
