Bill C-51. Sorry, I can't give you my opinion because I don't have one. I haven't read it yet. All I am able to offer you is someone else's opinion and to be brutally honest with you there isn't anyone in public life that I trust enough to blindly adopt their words as my own.
Thousands of people protested in recent days. If I knew that they all took the time to read the legislation carefully, and were voicing their personal opinions, I would feel a whole lot more warm and fuzzy about what they were up to. But, let's face it, it's a safe bet to say they didn't do their homework before marching down the street parroting someone else's opinion.
Since any future government can change or even repeal C-51, and surely The Supreme Court will wade in at some point, I don't see too much reason to panic. But, once having read the legislation, this whole debate could very well serve as a window to the true nature of our party leaders. Terrorism is far too hot a topic these days to think that Harper, Trudeau, Mulcair or May would miss this glorious opportunity to score a few cheap political points especially in an election year.
Sometimes I wish I had a lifelong loyalty to a given party because at times like these they could make up my mind for me. I am a swing voter. I will vote for whichever party I feel will lead my country the best at any given point in time, so learning about the true nature of the current leaders is very important to me.
So far with C-51 it appears that political points are the goal. The overblown scare tactics, the silly comparisons to police states, the relentless use of nonsensical sound bites, and the unbridled self righteousness combine to show me a grammar school mentality across the board. I sincerely hope that one good leader rises to the top because I really hate having to hold my nose when I go to vote.
It's going to be a long dry read but probably well worth it on so many levels. http://www.parl.gc.ca/housepublications/publication.aspx?language=e&mode=1&docid=6932136
Kevin Sass
Hemlock Valley