Part one enacts the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act, which authorizes the disclosure of information throughout and within the government of Canada regarding activities that “undermine” Canadian security.

Part two enacts the Secure Air Travel Act, which creates listing mechanisms and prohibitions for persons who may pose a threat to air transportation or who may travel abroad to commit terrorism offences.

Part three makes significant amendments to the Criminal Code including criminalization of the expression of ideas related to terrorism.

Part four expands the mandate of CSIS to operate both inside and outside of Canada –  to operate in a more active manner, as opposed to its previously passive information collection role.

Part five relates to amendments to immigration security certificate legislation allowing, in part, the government to withhold information from the specially appointed, national security approved Special Advocates retained to represent a detained person in confidential and closed national security hearings.

With an expanded mandate, CSIS would be granted the ability to “disrupt terror plots, make it easier for police to limit the movements of a suspect, expand no-fly list powers, crack down on terrorist propaganda, and remove barriers to sharing security-related information.”

Under the bill’s changes, seventeen Canadian departments would be able to exchange information easily between each other, including tax information from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Bill C-51 grants the Canadian government the ability to rightly intercede and stop “violent Islamic jihadi terrorists” inspired by the existence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney stated that the international jihadi movement has “declared war on Canada” and other countries around the world. He further reassured that the new tactics granted to CSIS would only be used if there are resonable grounds to believe a particular activity constitutes a threat to the security of Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper proposed the legislation, stating that the bill offered “considerable” oversight, and that it is a fallacy to suppose that “every time you protect Canadians, you take away their liberties.”

Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau has said it offers “significant improvements that will keep Canadians safer,” although he wants the bill to include more oversight and regular reviews. He has also suggested that his support is in part based on the upcoming election, and tactically avoiding the Conservative Party’s “fear narrative.”

source: Wikipedia

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