March 05, 2011
Self-defence act riles opposition
Ottawa Sun Parliamentary Bureau
OTTAWA — Should people defending their own homes or lives be able to use force to protect themselves or their property?
That question is central to the ongoing debate over Bill C-60, the Citizen’s Arrest and Self-Defence Act.
“Law-abiding Canadians should not be the target of the criminal justice system,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said when he announced the bill in mid-February.
KIDNAPPING CHARGE
The act expands the ability of storeowners to make citizen’s arrests and was prompted by the case of Toronto grocer David Chen. Chen was charged with kidnapping for arresting a career criminal attempting to rob him for the second time in a single day.
The second half of the law defines the steps a person can take to protect their own life, the life of another person or to protect their property. Essentially, the law would allow the use of force to fend off an attacker or intruder.
“In principle, we support clarifying those provisions,” said Liberal justice critic Marlene Jennings.
Jennings says the Liberals want to bring in experts to help make sure the bill has no unintended consequences.
The Bloc Quebecois and NDP were less enthusiastic.
“We don’t want to become a far West,” said Bloc House leader Pierre Paquette.
The NDP’s Nathan Cullen said he’s concerned the bill would lead to vigilantism.
“I don’t trust the government to get the word out to Canadians as to where the boundaries are. What can you do in defence of self,” Cullen said.
Earlier this week Ian Thomson of Port Colborne, Ont., was in court to face charges for firing over the heads of attackers who fire-b ombed his house. Two charges were dropped. Thomson still faces charges for careless storage of a firearm.
