Response from the Premier Regarding G20 Secret Law

Some time ago, you wrote to me about security during last summer's G20
summit in Toronto. I appreciated hearing what you had to say about
events during the gathering of world leaders, and would like to provide
you with an update on recent steps that our government has taken.

Last September, we asked former Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurtry to
lead an independent review of the Public Works Protection Act (PWPA).
Our government released his report in April.

Mr. McMurtry concluded that the PWPA should be repealed and replaced
with legislation specific to court security and energy infrastructure. I
want you to know that our government will act on all of his
recommendations.

We will begin consultations on replacement legislation necessary to
protect vital infrastructure, as Mr. McMurtry recommended. Our objective
and commitment are to ensure the security of our essential
infrastructure while protecting civil liberties.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this information with you. Please
accept my best wishes.


Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario

We must protect and speak out about our civil rights.

I want to state that the purpose of my posting items stemming from the G20 is to provide an alternative view. I am an activist who believes in peaceful protest but I abhor violence and destructive conduct. I’m not anti-police or authority etc. What I am is a strong proponent of civil and human rights, which unfortunately far too many Canadians take for granted. What took place in Toronto is our first Canadian experience what happens when our rights as citizens are ignored and violated. Authorities will always have reasons for abdicating their responsibilities when it comes to suspending or denying our civil liberties. In a civilized, democratic and peaceful country like Canada there can never be “any reason” good enough to suspend our civil rights as provided by our charter; otherwise the basis for a just society is compromised and we are reduced to an oligarchy where only a few hold the power

McGuinty Assaults Our Civil Rights

Premier McQuinty,

You have truly crossed the line and shown total disregard and contempt for our Civil Rights by giving the police special powers of arrest for the G20 Summit. I am a proud Canadian and Ontarian, but today I’m truly embarrassed to be both as a result of your action that is reminiscent of a right wing South American police state.

You have put a knife through the heart of what it means to be a Canadian. With this one thoughtless act you have destroyed our innocence as a country. You have insulted everything we hold dear with what is an affront to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. With one swoop of the pen you have impacted our freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association. You have moved our province and country from being one of peace, tolerance and virtue to being one of disharmony, intolerance and dishonour. Your have used the power of your office in a manner that is presumptuous and abusive.

It is now clear that you have learned nothing from the Harris era of government in Ontario. Like him, you are now operating with such arrogance that you have made the incorrect assumption that our province is home to nothing but unruly thugs and hoodlums. Like him you have lost touch with the people you are sworn to serve and forgotten the importance of peaceful protest and dissent in a vibrant democracy. Sadly you have made the single biggest political error in judgement of your political career. If you are a man who values peace and justice as you purport, every arrest made as a result of these new police powers will haunt you in perpetuity.

Sincerely,


Eric Morin

You Say Pro Life, I Say Religious Freedom

I just read about the pro-life rally in Ottawa today in the Toronto Star. Said to be one of the biggest pro-life rallies ever in Canada. The whole abortion debate is getting tired and redundant in this country. Only the religious right cling to the notion that women should not have total control of their bodies. But before I go any further it is important for me to put some of my beliefs on the record. I was raised Catholic although no longer practicing. I believe in a women’s right to choose whether she wants to terminate a pregnancy or not. I believe in religious freedom. On second thought I “strongly” believe in religious freedom. To me this is the crux of the abortion debate.

In Canada, I like to believe we practice religious tolerance. This is critical in this day and age because our country is becoming more and more religiously diverse each passing day. Moreover, the number of people moving to a secular lifestyle is on the rise. So why is it that a minority made up of some Roman Catholics and the Christian right can dictate what our position “must be” when it comes to a women’s right to chose?

The precepts of religious freedom are that you go to your church and I will go to mine. I will not force my religious values on you and I appreciate that you do not force your religious values on me. Most importantly, I respect your right to worship a different god and please respect my right to worship mine. It’s simple; in my Canada when comes to religion there is no good and no bad and there is no right or no wrong. There are just different beliefs.

So if your faith dictates you must be pro-life, I not only support your belief but I support that abortion should not be imposed upon you. Similarly, if my faith allows the right to chose, I thank you to not impose your position on me or others like me. That is how it has to be in a socially progressive and tolerant country.

Finally, the parliament of Canada must speak for all Canadians, regardless of who they are and/or what they believe. There must be a separation of church and state if we truly believe in religious freedom as stated in our Charter of Right and Freedoms. Consequently there is only one position Canada’s parliament can take when it comes to the abortion question and that is to give every individual the right to chose.

ISE