Cons never let a good crisis go to waste PART II, online surveillance bill to be resurrected?

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Will Rehtaeh Parsons tragedy lead to resurrection of online surveillance bill?

In his response to a question on the Parsons case from NDP Leader Tom Mulcair yesterday afternoon, the PM observed that "one of the difficulties" in dealing with such crimes "is that investigative tools for our police officers have not kept pace with the Internet age" -- a phrasing that, as it happens, is remarkably similar to that which appeared in the short titles of two bills introduced during the previous parliament -- specifically, C-50, or the Improving Access to Investigative Tools for Serious Crimes Act, C-51, also known as the Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act .

Although both bills died on the Order Paper at the call of the 2011 election, the main provisions thereof resurfaced in the majority-held House last year, bundled together with provisions from a third failed bid to monitor electronic communication and rebranded as the Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act -- otherwise known as C-30.

C-30 was not, however, formally withdrawn from the Order Paper, and could be restored to priority status at any time - including, in theory, in response to the concerns raised regarding the role of cyberbullying in the Parsons case.

In fact, since the government has already served notice that it intends to send it to committee before second reading, it could even be expanded to include new provisions that specifically address the alleged unauthorized sharing of 'intimate images' online.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/04/will-rethaeh-parsons-tragedy-lead-to-resurrection-of-online-surveillance-bill.html

Count on it!

[blkmusclmachine]

1. They're tracking Canada about 10 years behind the US Police State.

New World Disorder

[MAD Dave]

2. Scary and true!