Why is the Anti-terrorism Act as a whole not subject to a sunset clause?
The Anti-terrorism Act was not made subject to a general sunset clause. International terrorism has been a major threat for some time and will continue to be one for the foreseeable future. It requires measures that will continue to enable our law enforcement and national security agencies to anticipate and respond effectively to the threat. It would have been irresponsible and dangerous to suspend the whole Act, thereby running the risk of not having effective laws in place for extended periods of time. In addition, a sunset clause for the entire ATA would have put Canada in violation of our international obligations under United Nations international conventions for the suppression of terrorist bombings and terrorist financing, as well as the UN Security Council resolutions dealing with terrorist financing.
