The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, also known as Bill C-51, is a Canadian law that was created to protect Canada from terrorist threats. The law has five parts. It creates new rules for sharing information, makes air travel more secure, changes the Criminal Code, and updates laws for intelligence and immigration.
Part 1 is the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act. This part makes it easier for different parts of the government to share information with each other. This sharing is meant to help stop activities that could harm Canada's security. The goal is to help different parts of the government work together to keep Canada safe.
Part 2 is the Secure Air Travel Act. This part is all about making sure air travel is safe and secure. It helps to identify people who might be a threat to transportation or who might be traveling to commit a terrorist act. The Minister of Public Safety can create a list of people who might pose a risk and can tell airlines to take actions to stop these people from causing harm. People who are put on the list and denied travel can ask to have their names removed and can appeal the decision.
Parts 3, 4, and 5 make changes to existing laws. These changes affect how the Criminal Code deals with terrorist activities, how the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) works, and how immigration and refugee laws are applied in cases involving security concerns. These changes are meant to give the government more tools to prevent and respond to terrorism.
Crime
This law changes the Criminal Code to deal with terrorist activities. It extends how long a peace bond can last and gives judges more power to set conditions, like taking away passports. The law also makes it a crime to promote terrorism. Judges can now order the police to take away terrorist propaganda, including online material. These changes give police and courts more tools to prevent terrorist acts.
Gun Control
The Criminal Code amendments allow judges to consider including conditions related to firearms in recognizances (peace bonds) if they are deemed necessary to prevent terrorist activity. Specifically, the judge will consider if the person should be prohibited from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance.
Defense
The law updates the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act. It allows CSIS to take actions, both in Canada and other countries, to reduce threats to Canada's security. These actions need to be reasonable and follow the rules in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, unless a special warrant is given by a judge. These changes give CSIS more power to act against possible threats.