Is the ATA an emergency legislation responding only to a specific event?
The ATA is not an emergency legislation. Before September 11, 2001, Canada had in place an extensive and sophisticated security apparatus. Law enforcement relied upon the normal processes of investigation, prosecution and conviction under the Criminal Code to address terrorism. The Government of Canada has a responsibility to protect Canada and the safety of Canadians at home and abroad, to ensure that Canada is not a base for threats to other countries, and to contribute to international security. The measures contained in the ATA assist the Government in advancing these three core national security interests. Canada’s enactment of the ATA thus paralleled actions taken by our international partners. However, it was a made-in-Canada solution to address terrorism. As long as the threat of international terrorism exists, Canada will have laws in place to deal with it.
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