TORONTO, July 15, 2013 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., MP for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the coming into force of the Combating Terrorism Act. This legislation ensures that Canada has the tools it needs to anticipate and respond effectively to acts of terrorism.
“The Government of Canada is committed to keeping our streets and communities safe,”
said Minister Nicholson. “Terrorism remains a global threat and Canada is not immune. The new legislation will provide law enforcement with the means to anticipate and respond more effectively to terrorism.”
The Combating Terrorism Act re-enacts the provisions for investigative hearings and recognizance with conditions that expired in 2007. These are important and necessary tools designed to investigate terrorism offences that have been or will be committed, and to disrupt plans and preparations for terrorist attacks. It also creates new criminal offences of leaving or attempting to leave Canada to commit certain terrorism offences. These new offences are intended to deter persons from leaving Canada to attend terrorist training camps or engage in other terrorist activity.
Holding an investigative hearing will allow the Courts to compel a witness who may have information regarding a terrorism offence to appear in court and provide information. The provision for recognizance with conditions will require a person to abide by certain conditions in order to prevent the carrying out of a terrorist activity. Amendments in this legislation expand upon the many safeguards originally contained in the 2001 Anti-terrorism Act, and are designed to help disrupt plans and preparations for terrorist attacks and to investigate past or future acts of terrorism. The creation of these offences assists Canada in combating terrorism internationally.
This legislation is also in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, which is one of four priorities identified by the Prime Minister. This Plan focuses on tackling crime, victims' rights, and fair and efficient justice.
An online version of the legislation can be found at www.parl.gc.ca.
Backgrounder: Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Legislation
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Ref.:
- Julie Di Mambro
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
- Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
