Liberal border security bill poses serious threat to rights, coalition warns
The bill introduced this week would give authorities new powers to search mail, make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications and expand the Canadian Coast Guard's role to include security activities.
The government says the legislation aims to keep borders secure, fight transnational organized crime, stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and crack down on money laundering.
The bill comes amid sustained pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has cited concerns about the southbound flow of irregular migrants and fentanyl in imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
The new bill swiftly won support from Canada's police chiefs and child protection advocates working to prevent young people from being victimized by online predators.
The International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group says the federal government is using the bill to seek powers in the areas of immigration and police access to personal information that are not related to securing the border.
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Vancouver Sun
a minute ago
- Vancouver Sun
Tennis officials refuse call to cancel Davis Cup match-up between Israel and Canada in Halifax
Tennis officials are refusing to give in to the demands of an open letter calling for the cancellation of a match-up between Israeli and Canadian players that's scheduled to be hosted in Halifax next month. On Sept. 12 and 13, Canada and Israel will play each other in the Davis Cup, the leading team tennis event in the world. The result of the tie, a series of five matches, will determine which country advances to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers. The letter, which was signed by more than 400 academics, activists, athletes and writers argues that sport can no longer be treated as simply sport given the international scrutiny over Israel's military operations in Gaza. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'This is an important moment for Sport Canada and Tennis Canada to promote social justice and stand on the right side of history,' says a letter addressed to the two organizations. The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which organizes the Davis Cup, said in a statement that it would not bar Israel from competing. 'We recognize this is a highly complex situation that goes far beyond sport. However, Israel has not been excluded from international sporting events and it has not been suspended by the International Olympic Committee,' the ITF said. 'Across tennis, careful consideration is given to the participation of teams and players representing every nation, and the safety of all players, tournament staff and supporters is always paramount at every event. We will continue to work closely with Tennis Canada in relation to this event.' Tennis Canada also said the match will go ahead as planned and emphasized that its role is to promote the sport and create opportunities for players and fans. Signatories to the letter include journalists and University of British Columbia professors Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis, Alex Neve, formerly the secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, and now a professor at the University of Ottawa, and three former United Nations special rapporteurs. Scores of other academics across a variety of research fields, including geography, history and kinesiology, also signed the letter. They argue that Canada has issued sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, and Defence Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The letter also alleges that Israel is committing a genocide, something the Canadian government has not stated. Israel denies the allegation. 'Allowing this competition is unconscionable,' the letter says. David Cooper, vice president of government relations for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said that a 'small mob of extremists' shouldn't get to determine who competes at the Davis Cup. 'Giving in to their demands would stain our country's reputation and undermine the integrity of international sport. All Canadians must stand together against those who use intimidation to dictate who plays tennis in Canada,' Cooper said in an emailed statement. Recently, there have been a handful of instances where athletes have refused recently to compete against Israeli athletes — such as in June when a Jordanian under-19 basketball team refused to play its Israeli counterparts, forfeiting the match . Historically, exclusion from sporting events has sometimes been used to express international disapproval with a nation's actions. There were calls to ban Israel from the 2024 Olympics, but the IOC refused. The upcoming tennis matches are to take place in Halifax, N.S. In a recent meeting of the Halifax special events advisory committee , Sue Uteck, a member of the committee, noted that hosting the event is likely to be contentious and that she has been 'inundated' with emails and noted that there will be increased policing and security concerns while hosting the event. 'You never want to mix athletics and politics,' Uteck said. Claudine Ferragut, with Tennis Canada, described it as a 'rather complicated situation' in the Middle East and said there is work being done on a security plan for the event. 'We remain committed to the principle of sport to bring unity separate from political conflicts,' she said. Steven Guilbeault, Canada's culture minister, did not respond to a request for comment by press time. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
CBC
11 minutes ago
- CBC
Zelenskyy says security guarantees key to ending war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped Monday's meeting at the White House with several European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump would lead to trilateral talks with Russian President Vladamir Putin and a permanent end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Toronto Star
31 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Trump urges direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, says war can reach endgame within weeks
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders that a potential ceasefire and who gets Ukrainian territory seized by Russia should be hashed out during a face-to-face meeting between the warring countries' two leaders. Trump made the comments days after he hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks at a U.S. military base in Alaska in which he tilted toward Putin's demands that Ukraine make concessions over land seized by Russia, which now controls roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
