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Dreeshen: Liberals security legislation puts Canadians at risk

Jun 27, 2017 | 3:57 PM

Summer is here and I am looking forward to spending the next couple months in the riding, continuing to engage Central Albertans on what is important to them.

Wind Storm

First I would like to offer my best wishes for everyone affected by the wind storm last week. There was significant property damage throughout Red Deer and other parts of Central Alberta and I also wish to thank all of the emergency workers and community members for keeping our neighbors safe.

Local Roundup

As I mentioned, I am excited to be back in the riding for the summer months. This past weekend, that allowed me to take part in the incredible Sundre rodeo and parade.

Also on the weekend, I was honoured to be invited to join the Olds First Baptist Church in celebration of their 125th Anniversary. This is a congregation that continues to be steeped in the tradition of community service, faith, and remembrance.

Ottawa Update – National Security Legislation

Right before the end of the spring sitting in Parliament, the Liberals tabled legislation to make substantial changes to our national security. The legislation makes it clear that the Liberals do not take public safety seriously.

Among other things, the legislation limits the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s ability to reduce terrorist threats, limits the ability of Government departments to share data amongst themselves to protect national security, removes the offence of advocating and promoting terrorism offences in general, and raises the threshold for obtaining a terrorism peace bond and recognizance with conditions.

The Liberal government is making it more difficult for law enforcement and security agencies to prevent attacks on Canadian soil. In fact, these changes set our laws back from the sad lessons learned from the murder of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent in Quebec

Instead of cracking down on radicalization, the Liberals are actually creating loopholes that those who seek to radicalize our youth can exploit. In the last Parliament, Justin Trudeau and Ralph Goodale both voted in favour of Bill C-51.  In the dying days of this session, the Liberal government has weakened public safety to keep an ill-advised campaign promise.

Conservatives take ensuring the safety of Canadians seriously – that is why the previous government brought Canada’s national security laws into the 21st Century and in line with our allies. While our Five Eyes allies are all taking measures to strengthen national security, this legislation actually removes the ability of our intelligence service to reduce terrorist threats.

The Liberals’ irresponsible approach will put the safety and security of Canadians at risk.

 

Sincerely your Member of Parliament,

Earl Dreeshen