Harper Takes Political Advantage of Terrorism

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 63) February 4, 2015

Being able to criticize and express disagreement is a critical component of Canada’s democratic system – a system that must be carefully protected and nurtured if Canada is to remain a civil, democratic society.  At the same time there are individuals and groups in Canada that advocate and promote: hate, insurrection and terrorism.  Prime Minister Harper in his wisdom has decided to deal with the realities of terrorism by implementing a two pronged anti-terrorism strategy.  As his strategy unfolds (and it is still unfolding) the political consequences are going to be huge.  I’ve already come to one conclusion and I hope I’m wrong:  In the effort to squash terrorism, entrenched freedoms will be restricted and offering legitimate criticism / disagreement will only be offered after thoughtful hesitation.      

Canada’s at War with ISIS

Last October Prime Minister Stephen Harper received approval from his “majority” government to join a consortium of nations and conduct airstrikes against ISIS militants in Iraq.  The six month air mission includes 10 aircraft and six hundred support personnel.  The Canadian mission also includes 69 “special forces” personnel that were dispatched to advise Iraq’s military and not be put in a position where they might face direct fire by ISIS militants.  Things have not gone as planned.  Reports from Iraq indicate that the airstrikes have had limited success, but it is the activities of the “special forces” group that is creating unnecessary havoc amongst Ottawa’s parliamentarians and the prime minister – all to the embarrassment of Canada’s Armed Forces.  From my perspective the review of the mission’s achievements in April will unfortunately focus on the logistics and tactics of the Armed Force rather than the future involvement of Canada in the fight against ISIS militants.  My advice to the prime minister:  leave it up to the generals to fight the battles in Iraq and pay more attention to gaining a trustful, working relationship with your political opponents in Ottawa.

Home Grown Terrorism in Canada

The Anti-Terrorism Act announced by Mr. Harper in Toronto last week is the prime minister’s response to last October’s murders of two uniformed soldiers in Quebec and Ottawa.  Canadians were clearly outraged by these two acts of home grown terrorism and are now anxious, if not fearing that more terrorist acts are being planned.  Analysis of the Anti-Terrorism Act is starting to trickle out from lawyers and scholars with two major concerns already on the table.  First, the negative impact this anti-terrorism legislation is going to have on civil liberties?  One legal expert indicated that biased propaganda can be interpreted to incite people to act unlawfully in a terrorist act?  Second, a good number of politicians and political pundits are expressing major concerns regarding the new, sweeping powers given to Canada’s spy agency and not having sufficient parliamentary oversight in the expanded role of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).  My advice to the prime minister:  the Anti-Terrorism Act is very serious legislation that requires the support from all political perspectives – treat the proposed legislation as an opportunity to develop trust amongst political opponents – otherwise the view will be that Prime Minister Harper has developed a “new” Canada, the Harper Police State.