Liberals Call for Action on National Security Oversight Law

December 2, 2013

OTTAWA– In response to recent reports, Parliament should prioritize Liberals’ legislation that would guarantee oversight and accountability of Canada’s national security agencies, said Liberal Public Safety Critic, Wayne Easter, today.

“Canadians are deeply troubled by these reports that the Conservative government authorized the NSA to carry out a sweeping spying operation on Canadian soil, targeting world leaders, during the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit,” said Mr. Easter. “That is why today in the House of Commons I will be requesting unanimous consent for my bill on national security oversight to be passed at Second Reading and sent to committee for study.”

Mr. Easter’s bill has been championed by Liberals, in government and opposition, for almost a decade. It would create a parliamentary committee mandated to review the legislative, regulatory, policy and administrative framework for agencies responsible for national security in Canada. This proactive oversight of all aspects of national security handled by the federal government will fill a gap addressed by Canada’s major allies long ago – namely providing oversight and accountability for agencies that have functioned in nearly complete secrecy.

“Right now there is nobody watching the watchers, nor providing oversight of Canada’s various national security agencies,” said Mr. Easter. “We trust the government will finally act in Canadians’ interest, support unanimous consent, and prioritize this important legislation.”

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Background:

Read more on Mr. Easter’s bill to establish a National Security Committee of Parliamentarians here.