Were last weeks attacks in Quebec and on Parliament Hill acts of terrorism? The government was quick to label them as such. Today, after their first caucus meetings since last Wednesday’s Parliament Hill shooting, both NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau were asked this question. Both had different answers.
Here’s Thomas Mulcair:
Reporter: The government, the Secretary of State John Kerry, the RCMP have all labeled the events as terrorism. Do you?
Thomas Mulcair: No.
Reporter: Why not?
Mulcair: Because I don’t think we have enough evidence to use that word. I think that when you look at the history of the individual involved that you see a criminal act of course. You see something that was meant to provoke the type of reaction we had but when you look at the history of the individual, attempts to get help, even to be imprisoned to get help if that turns out to be the case.
I think we’re not in the presence of a terrorist act in the sense that we would understand it. I think we have to be very careful with the use of the word terrorism, make sure that’s actually what we’re dealing with.
And here is Justin Trudeau:
Reporter: Parliament in the coming days or weeks is going to be presented and debating on legislation to deal with keeping the country safe from what this government says has been acts of terrorism. Do you think what happened last week, both in Quebec and here, were these acts of terrorism? And from what you’re seeing out of the government, do you have misgivings, concerns about whether or not they’re going to be going too far?
Justin Trudeau: First of all, the RCMP was clear, these were acts of terrorism. These were acts of terrorism. Secondly, the measures put forward to assure the safety of Canadians are going to be something that we have to take very seriously. We need to look at every piece of legislation coming forward with a lens to is this going to improve the safety of Canadians? Is this going to, you know, protect our values and our identity? But mostly, is this going to keep Canadians safe? And that’s a lens through which we’re going to evaluate any legislation.
Reporter: How important is it that they walk that line in terms of protecting Canadians’ safety without intruding civil liberties and violating something called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
Trudeau: I think the most important thing here is making sure that Canadians are safe. And Canadians will accept what we need to do to keep them safe. And that’s the lens that we’re going to be looking at.
Why is it important whether or not we label last week’s acts as acts of terrorism? The Star’s Tim Harper takes a stab at answering that. Don’t agree with everything he says here but it’s a good starting point for discussion.
The Killers of the two solders were disturbed young men who found a convenient frame work to hang their anger on. They then committed criminal acts. They were not terrorists. It would appear that the Mounties have all the power they need to track real terrorist groups and no matter what we do they will not have perfect susses against the so called “lone wolf”. I have much more concern about non transparent police actions. There is a greater danger to Canadians and the values we have as a country from unchecked police power than from terrorist. Do not say if you do nothing wrong you have nothing to fear. That is simply not so. The more power a bureaucracy has the more mistakes it will make and the harder it will be to change that. for anyone caught up in those mistakes the results are catastrophic. I generally think Trudeau is ahead of the curve on social issues but all his good thoughts about Canada being a country of shared values will go out the window if there are no checks on surveillance and arrest powers of the police
Thank you for your words of common sense!
I sometimes despair that the traditional Canadian voice of reason has been lost under the current regime!
It is refreshing to read such thoughtful commentary.
We agree tha these were NOT terrorists, but very disturbed young men.
It is so upsetting that the current government has chosen to try score political points with their rightwing supporters by engendering fear in the population after the tragic events last week.
You totally left out the part where Trudeau recommended an oversight committee to assure that our civil rights were also respected. Why?
Justin Trudeau is looking more and more like our future Prime Minister. He will review the situation, make a decision and carry through with it. That is the makings of a great Prime minister. Is father would be proud.