Libs table foreign interference bill
With an act respecting countering foreign interference, we’re taking action to adapt and to respond to a world where life and consequently, threats are increasingly moving to the online realm. Canada is going all in on fighting foreign interference. Late Monday, the federal government announced a suite of changes to the Caesars Act, the Canada Evidence Act Criminal Code, and announced a new foreign agent registry. CESIS would get more powers, including new kinds of warrants and the ability to provide more information. On foreign interference to those outside government, the Criminal Code would also update the sabotage provisions to include new kinds of essential infrastructure. This is being done in a way that respects Charter protected rights and freedoms such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The Criminal Code change is also expand what counts as foreign interference and increases prison sentences. The foreign agent registry would require people advocating on behalf of foreign entities in public or private to place themselves on a public registry with. Penalties of up to $5 million for failing to do so, and that doesn’t include any criminal charges the RCMP might bring. The Conservative critic for immigration says he wants everything to be as clear as possible. But I want to see full names, full sources, the full legal names of the entities giving them. And if it’s an entity connected to a government, I want that government to be listed on there. So it’s very clear, but it’s not clear how long all this could take. Civil servants say it could take up to a year after royal assent for the foreign agent registry to be ready. Dominic Le Blanc says the Liberals intend to get this done ASAP. I’m not pessimistic that we can’t build a consensus around the importance of having this legislation in place as quickly as possible in Ottawa. Lee City News.