Essay Example on Bill C-59: Fixing C-51 Problems, Creating New Ones

The new bill C-59 was proposed to fix the problems brought by C-51 (House of Commons, 2018). However, the bill only resolves a portion of them while creating others. One of the gaps fixed by the bill is improving accountability of spy agencies (TripWire, 2017). The National Security Intelligence Review Agency will be given the mandate to review the operations of the Canadian Spy Agencies. Conversely, it accords the intelligence agencies new powers that might threaten the rights of Canadians (Canadian Civil Liberties Association, 2017). Although the bill introduces new challenges in the process of fixing C-51 problems, it should be upheld and have amendments effected during implementation.

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Bill C-59 was introduced to make radical changes to Canadian security architecture. The oversight role tasked to the intelligence commissioner ensures that espionage activities and monitoring of other security agencies in the country will ensure that citizens are adequately and responsibly protected (Goodale, 2019). However, partisans express worries that the CSE powers need to put under control before the bill is ascended into law (Tunney, 2019). According to the CSIS, the bill aims to keep Canadians safe and uphold rights and freedoms (Canadian Security Intelligence Service, 2019). Monique Scotti (2018) thinks that passing the bill would imply that the country's Community Security Establishment would actively engage in cyber-attacks externally, including impersonation. On the same matter, Preston Lim (2019), argues that the bill strikes a perfect balance between accountability and addressing cyber threats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bill C-59 attempts to address the pressing concern with its predecessor C-51. The bill promises to strengthen the country's cyberspace engagement at a time that it has become a growing concern around the world. Additionally, the bill has set up structures to facilitate oversight, thus ensuring the accountability of agencies to avoid violation of rights. Most importantly, the bill strives to provide security to Canadians thus, it should go through for citizens to realize its benefits.

References

Canadian Civil Liberties Association. (2017, September 12). The Relationship Between Bill C-59 and Bill C-51. Retrieved from Canadian Civil Liberties Association: https://ccla.org/relationship-bill-c-59-bill-c-51/

Canadian Security Intelligence Service. (2019, May 13). Proposed Changes in C-59 Relating to CSIS Authorities. Retrieved from Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/news/2019/04/proposed-changes-in-c-59-relating-to-csis-authorities.html

Goodale, R. (2019, June 10). Bill C-59: An Act respecting national security matters. Retrieved from openparliament.ca: https://openparliament.ca/bills/42-1/C-59/

House of Commons. (2018, June 19). BILL C-59. Retrieved from Parliament of Canada: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-59/third-reading

Lim, P. (2019, May 13). Canada Considers Most Far-Reaching Intell Reforms in Decades. Retrieved from Just Security: https://www.justsecurity.org/64030/canada-considers-most-far-reaching-intell-reforms-in-decades/

Scotti, M. (2018, February 6). Here's what you need to know about Canada's 'extraordinarily permissive' new spying laws. Retrieved from Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/3999947/cse-c59-new-spy-powers-canada/

TripWire. (2017, July 3). Bill C-59 - The Canadian National Security Act 2017: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from Trip Wire: https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/government/bill-c-59-canadian-national-security-act-2017-need-know/

Tunney, C. (2019, March 30). As clock ticks down to election, senator vows national security bill will pass in time. Retrieved from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bill-c59-national-security-delays-senate-1.5073838