CJC urges Parliament to take up Supreme Court challenge for effective, Charter-proof security legislation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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February 23, 2007

CJC urges Parliament to take up Supreme Court challenge for effective, Charter-proof
security legislation

TORONTO - Canadian Jewish Congress urges Parliament to take up today's Supreme Court
challenge and pass new legislation within one year that replaces current security
certificates with new law mirroring these provisions, while protecting the rights
of the accused under the Charter.

Recognizing that terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Canadian security,
the Court has determined that the status quo with respect to the certificates prevails
in the interim.

"Security certificates have been vigorously defended by the previous Liberal government
as well as the current Conservative government. What Canada needs most, in keeping
with the Charter, is an overall security régime whose first and best line
of defence against terrorism remains effective, timely surveillance and intelligence
to stop attacks before they happen," said Canadian Jewish Congress National President
Ed Morgan.

"In the wake of today's decision, we urge the Parliament of Canada to pass new legislation
to ensure that the state retains the necessary powers to deal with the security threats
that certificates addressed while satisfying the Court's Charter of Rights concerns,"
he added.

"As part of this process, we suggest that Parliament explore the United Kingdom's
approach both to hearing procedures and rules of evidence in security cases as well
as to 'measures of control' such as house arrest and monitoring devices to avoid
prolonged incarceration," Morgan said.
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Contact:

Wendy Lampert

National Director of Communications

Canadian Jewish Congress

wlampert@on.cjc.ca

www.cjc.ca