Star: Trudeau backed C-51, but won’t say if it’s constitutional
Looks like the Liberal Party voted for a bill they're not even sure is constitutional... Article by the Canadian Press at the Toronto Star BROSSARD, QUE. — Justin Trudeau won’t say if Bill C-51 — the controversial anti-terror bill introduced by the Conservatives — is constitutional, even though the Liberals backed it in Parliament.
At a morning campaign event Thursday, he said his party will always defend the Charter of Rights, enacted when his father was prime minister in 1982.
But the Liberal leader would not clearly weigh in on the constitutionality of the anti-terror legislation, which has been questioned by some legal experts and the New Democrats who refused to support the bill.
“That’s a debate that’s ongoing, but the fact is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is there to ensure that our rights are not violated, that we are protected,” Trudeau told reporters.
“The Liberal party will always defend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at the same time as we defend Canadians’ security . . . we don’t have to make a choice between one or the other.”
Bill C-51 has created political ripples in Quebec, where Trudeau has spent most of the week campaigning.
- Read more at the Toronto Star
Take action now!
Sign up to be in the loop
Donate to support our work