“We reject the argument that every time we talk about security, our freedoms are threatened. We reject the arguments that every time we talk about our security, our freedoms are threatened. Canadians understand that freedoms and security go hand in hand. Canadians expect us to protect both, and there are protections in this legislation that would do exactly that.”
At least seven different Conservative MPs have used those exact same words to defend Harper government’s anti-terrorism bill against the accusation that Bill C-51 threatens fundamental freedoms of Canadian citizens.
The talking point was first aired by Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton on February 05 in a letter to the editor, which was then repeated by David Wilks, MP for Kootenay Columbia on February 21.
Sponsor of the bill Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney himself used those words during debate a in the House of Commons on February 18.Then Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification and MP for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo repeated those words in Parliament during the February 23 debate. Three other MPs, Ryan Leef (Yukon), Bryan Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie), and Ted Falk (Provencher, MB) all used the exact same phrase during the same debate.
Minister Blaney repeated himself verbatim at the Public Safety Committee hearing on March 10.
The words appears to be refinement of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s response to a question by reporter at the unveiling of the bill on January 30.
“Every time that we talk about security, they suggest that somehow our freedoms are threatened,” Harper said. “I think what Canadians understand is that their freedoms and security more often than not go hand in hand.”
Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair, whose NDP opposes the bill, has dismissed the argument as a false choice offered by the conservatives.
“We should not have to choose between our freedom and our safety,” Mulcair said in Parliament. “It is our duty to protect both for everyone at all times, at every opportunity and in every way.”
