Guest Post: Principled conservatives against online spying

*Note the letter below was sent out to online community members of principled conserveratives online forum The Free Dominion. At the request of our conservative supporters, OpenMedia.ca has provided a tool for conservatives to reach out to their MPs as supporters of the party. Everyone can also contact there MP via http://openmedia.ca/mp and we urge you to do send your message now in this crucial moment Principled conservatives,  The government's proposed online spying legislation (Bill C-30) will force every Internet provider to allow "authorities" to collect the private information of any Canadian, at any time, without a warrant. It will create a giant, unsecure Internet registry that we'll have to pay for as consumers. It will also create red tape for online innovators and businesses.

The Federal Government's own Privacy Commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, has voiced her concerns about online spying repeatedly, and has called for strengthened oversight and privacy safeguards in the bills.

Please help oppose invasive, costly, and warrantless surveillance by sending your Member of Parliament a message, as a principled conservative, against online spying:

http://www.openmedia.ca/principledconservatives

This online spying legislation is antithetical to core conservative principles of freedom, privacy rights, and limited government. It is exactly the kind of bill that we conservatives would have fought, tooth and nail, back when we were in the Opposition. 

We mustn't let partisan politics become an obstacle to doing what is right for our country.

Conservartive MPs like Tory John Williamson, David Tilson, and Rob Anders have already spoken out on this issue. We need more Conservative MPs to speak out. We need to stop this costly, invasive, and poorly thought-out legislation.

Conservative MPs can't easily ignore us—their own base. We carry incredible influence with a government we helped elect into power. 

Please take a moment to send your MP this message, and encourage all of your friends and everyone in your networks to do the same. Here's the link: http://www.openmedia.ca/principledconservatives

For a free, open, and surveillance-free Internet in Canada, 

Not a self-identified conservative? Not to worry you can send a message to your MP using OpenMedia.ca's general campaign tool here (LINK TO http://openmedia.ca/mp). OpenMedia.ca is a non-partisan organization.

Connie Fournier
 freedominion.ca