OTTAWA (ap) — The Liberal government used its majority to curtail debate Tuesday in the Senate and push its landmark anti-terrorist legislation into law.
Bill C-36, granting wide new powers of arrest, detention and surveillance, as well as authority to freeze and confiscate financial assets of suspected terrorists, passed by a handy 45-21 margin.
Within the hour it had received royal assent from Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson at a ceremony in the ornate Senate chamber.
Sharon Carstairs, the Liberal leader in the Senate, defended the use of time allocation — a form of closure — to curb debate, blaming delaying tactics by the Conservative minority.
“It’s an excellent law for Canada and very appropriate to the circumstances as a result of Sept. 11,” she said.
But John Lynch-Staunton, the Tory leader in the upper house, saw potential for future violations of civil liberties.
“I think the police initially will be very careful,” he said. “I’m just worried that, in time, those who are here today will not be there and excesses could take place.”
