The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is joining with a diverse group of civil society organizations to call on the Federal Government’s inquiry to have broad terms of reference and include the power to compel witnesses and the production of documents.
“Let’s be crystal clear: an inquiry that does not include the sworn testimony of the major players involved and the production of documents is a sham,” said Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the CCLA.
“The people of Canada deserve to hear from their officials about why they took the steps they did. They deserve accountability and Canadians are owed the truth as to why their civil liberties were suspended.”
“We need broad terms of reference and for the inquiry to truly be independent—Cabinet should consult with opposition parties and seek their approval for who will be appointed. The government should also be prepared to invest the resources necessary for a full and thorough inquiry and report. Moreover, the inquiry must be transparent and its proceedings must be open to the public,” she concluded.
Read joint statement from the Coalition of Civil Society Groups here.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
