Lately, the Harper Conservatives have been pulling some
dirty tricks with their reckless "Secret Police" bill. First, they tried
to limit debate. Then, they tried to avoid scrutiny by rushing the bill
through Committee. Now, they're putting out disgusting fear-mongering
ads to sell their political agenda in a way that's forcing some
level-headed Conservatives to speak out.[1] Their new tactics show their desperation to pass this reckless bill before more Canadians learn about its dangerous details.
The Leadnow community has already made amazing progress fighting against this bill, with more than a million people seeing the campaign to Reject Fear online: but we need to take this to the next level if we’re going to stop the worst parts of the bill.
The Leadnow community has already made amazing progress fighting against this bill, with more than a million people seeing the campaign to Reject Fear online: but we need to take this to the next level if we’re going to stop the worst parts of the bill.
That’s why we’re working with partner
organizations on a plan to hit the streets on Saturday, March 14, all
over the country, to stand together and show that the people of Canada
don’t accept Harper’s fear-mongering, and we don’t accept this bill. But
to pull it off, we need you to be there.
Will you join your local snap action as part of
Defend our Freedom: a National Day of Action to speak out against
Harper’s reckless “Secret Police” bill? Find your local event and RSVP here.
If there isn’t an event near you, you can use the same link set up a new event. It’s
a strong and effective action, and we’ll help by inviting local Leadnow
community members, and giving you the support you need.
There’s no better way to show our opposition to this bill than by hitting the streets -
proving that we’re willing to stand proudly in our hometowns, shoulder
to shoulder, in opposition to this bill. If we’re successful,
politicians all over the country will know that passing this bill in its
current form is too poisonous to risk.
Many of the events will be organised by groups
collaborating on this important campaign, and some events will be
organised by local Leadnow community members. Some of the events will be
large rallies, and others will be small gatherings. But
all events will have this in common: they’ll be family-friendly,
effective actions against a dangerous bill that must be stopped. Find a map and all the info you need to RSVP here.
If there was ever a moment to hit the streets on this issue, it’s now.
The Conservatives will likely spend the next two weeks making up their
mind about whether they need to change their tune on this Secret Police
bill. And they’re under immense pressure to do so: over just a few short
weeks, the number of communities and individuals who have spoken out
against this dangerous bill is overwhelming. Former intelligence
officers have lambasted the bill for its gross overreach into everyday
lives of Canadians[2], and former Prime Ministers have shamed the risks of passing it without proper oversight[3].
But this is an election year, and there’s just one
court that politicians abide by -- the court of public opinion. So now
it’s up to us to make our verdict loud, and our judgment clear, in
saying that we won’t stand idly by while politicians and spy agencies try to trample our rights.
But for this plan to work, we need you to be a
part of it. Will you have the courage of your convictions, and prove
that you’re rejecting fear and rejecting Harper’s spin?
To ratchet this up and influence the future of this bill
in the moment that matters most, we need to build pressure on the
ground, in towns and cities where MPs will feel it most. Are you in?
Thanks for being a part of it,
Jamie, Kelly, Rodrigo, Stefan, Sanna and the Leadnow team
PS - In a moment like this, we need to speak to all
political parties when we say: we expect our leaders to deal in truth,
not in fear. We expect them to defend both our rights and
our securities. And above all else, we expect them protect our
democracy, by listening to us, the people, before they pass a dangerous,
reckless and ineffective bill into law. Click here to RSVP to an event near you next Saturday, March 14.
Sources
[1] Tories Criticized Over 'Fear-Mongering' Facebook Post
On Bill C-51, West Edmonton Mall Threat. Huffington Post Canada, 4th
March 2015.http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/03/04/bill-c-51-west-edmonton-mall_n_6801058.html
[2] Former CSIS officer warns new federal anti-terror bill will ‘lead to lawsuits, embarrassment’, National Post. February 2013.http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/13/former-csis-officer-warns-new-federal-anti-terror-bill-will-lead-to-lawsuits-embarrassment/
[3] CSIS oversight urged by ex-PMs as Conservatives rush Bill C-51 debate. CBC, February 19, 2015. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-oversight-urged-by-ex-pms-as-conservatives-rush-bill-c-51-debate-1.2963179
[2] Former CSIS officer warns new federal anti-terror bill will ‘lead to lawsuits, embarrassment’, National Post. February 2013.http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/13/former-csis-officer-warns-new-federal-anti-terror-bill-will-lead-to-lawsuits-embarrassment/
[3] CSIS oversight urged by ex-PMs as Conservatives rush Bill C-51 debate. CBC, February 19, 2015. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-oversight-urged-by-ex-pms-as-conservatives-rush-bill-c-51-debate-1.2963179