Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Charter Rights Freedoms

association: It argues the bill "vague and overly broad language" would capture legitimate activity, including environmental and aboriginal protests — and possibly put a chill on expressions of dissent, according to Vancouver Observer. The most worrying element of the bill is a provision that would give judges the power to authorize CSIS violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the association says. The bar association objects to the planned transformation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service into an agency that could actively disrupt terror plots. It potentially brings "the entire Charter into jeopardy, undermines the rule of law, and goes against the fundamental role of judges as the protectors of Canada constitutional rights."The association wants a sunset clause that would see the bill expire and trigger a parliamentary review no more than five years after its passage. It has developed a full submission drawing on the input of experts in criminal, immigration, privacy and charities law. The association, which represents more than 36,000 lawyers across Canada, released a draft summary of its concerns Friday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.