Posted on 11 March 2011
As Liberal Critic in the Senate for Bill C-61 (An Act to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of the property of officials and former officials of foreign states and of their family members), Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe expressed his concerns in a speech in the Senate today that this legislation will not receive the important scrutiny it deserves.
Although sparked by recent events in the Middle East, it is important to note that this Bill is not simply a specific measure for a specific situation. Bill C-61 constitutes a significant expansion of government power to seize property, and it warrants careful review.
The government talks about the need for speedy passage of this bill, in order to keep assets from being taken out of Canada and hidden elsewhere. While that is a legitimate concern, the Revolution in Egypt occurred weeks ago, and the Tunisian Revolution almost two months ago -- there has been more than enough time for anyone wishing to move assets to do so. Indeed, for several weeks, the Canadian-Tunisian community has been calling for action to be taken against assets held in Canada. No matter how quickly the Government wants us to act now, it cannot reverse the passage of time.
Downe proposed a possible solution to balance the Government’s desire for speedy passage with the need for proper scrutiny: after passage by Parliament, the Bill be studied by the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, under a mandate to conduct additional hearings with a cross section of witnesses and to then propose any future amendments to the bill, as needed.
Downe compared the rush to pass legislation through Parliament to the events leading up to the implementation of the New Veterans Charter in 2005:
“At this time I cannot help but think of another bill that we were urged to pass quickly…remember Bill C-45 –what we now call the New Veterans’ Charter – went through Parliament with great speed.
It went through First, Second and Third Reading in the House of Commons in the time it takes me to read this sentence…
Here in the Senate, Second Reading debate took three quarters of an hour, whereupon it was rushed to, of all places, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance – because that was the next Committee that was meeting - where it was studied at only one meeting and reported back and passed the next day.
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Indeed, veterans – at the time and since – have wondered if the Senate lived up to our responsibility to provide sober second thought, or if, in our rush to help veterans, we actually failed them.”
Good intentions and hasty action do not lead to good law, and Downe urged that this Bill be given the examination that this important piece of legislation deserves.
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For further information:
Senator Percy Downe: 613-943-8107
Or toll free at 1-800-267-7362
www.sen.parl.gc.ca/pdowne
Please click here to read the full text of Senator Downe's speech