Our society is based on fundamental legal principles. One of those principles is that a victim can not make justice for itself.
We, MPs in the House of Commons, have been the victim of an attempted murder by what appears increasingly to be an isolated act of someone with psychological distress. We as MPs have the power to change laws. I firmly believe that in the case before us, we must make an extra effort to keep a cool head and have the interests of citizens at the center of our concerns. We must not upset the delicate balance between security and individual rights without a real social debate. We need to reflect on the tragedy that has occurred and avoid the temptation to drift to a paranoid security obsession.
We must not give in to fear. We should not act on the heat of the moment without a thorough reflexion and debate.
Tell me what you think about the events and what should come next:
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I totally agree with your sentiments. Harper does not seem to understand that his government’s policies such as his “tough on crime initiatives” his so-called “anti-terrorism bills” and the decision to send military force to Iraq has made Canada less safe than we were before he gained majority power.
The loss of two military personnel on Canadian soil is tragic. But where is Harper’s response to the 1,100 missing or murdered aboriginal women and girls?
What consideration does Harper have for the population of Gaza, held hostage by the Israeli’s and subjected to indiscriminate bombing?
Let us not lose perspective in these matters and temper our reaction with a reality check.
All too often govenerments use a tragedy to bring sweeping new powers for the government, not the people this happened in nazi Germany with the reichstag fire and recently in the US with 9/11. Guard our country by first learning what if any failings happened that day and make smaller measures to avoid it in the future. But please learn from history don’t let Canada be changed not due to the shooting but the government’s reaction to the shooting. Canada is free please keep it that way.
These soldiers have died in the name of freedom. Their deaths must not be used as a ploy to take that same freedom away. Privacy IS part of this freedom. It is not not for ANY government to take away.
My Canada is not a police state. Unfortunately, it seems like it’s becoming one.
This type of legislation is sneaky. It was planned long time ago, but comes veiled as a knee-jerk reaction for the sake of “security.” People die in car crashes every day. This doesn’t mean we should ban driving, or record everyone at the wheel.
Additionally, the argument “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear” is a manipulative attempt at compliance. It’s like saying that some crimes happen in basements, so police should have keys to your house. Yes, some crimes occur indoors. No, you can’t have a set of my house keys.
Do not take away my privacy because you’re scared. I’m not afraid. I’d rather take my chances every day, than be watched.
before the facts were in. This was one gunman.