BCCLA SUBMISSION ON ROADSIDE DRUG TESTING BILL
The BCCLA made submissions to the House of Commons Committee on Justice and Human Rights dealing with Bill C-16. The Bill proposes a driver drug-testing scheme that would include the police observing and questioning a suspected drug-impaired driver, a roadside test for the presence of drugs, involving either a saliva or urine sample and blood sample testing if the driver is taken into custody.

The BCCLA objects to the Bill on the grounds that the proposed method of drug-testing does not determine impairment at the time of driving and is susceptible to false positive results. Drivers would be subject to arrest, detention and forced testing on the basis of a determination of impairment that is no better (and arguably much worse) than the current system of assessing impairment by a person's behaviour.

Our submission: www.bccla.org/othercontent/05roadside.htm
INVITATION TO MAKE ORAL SUBMISSION
AT THE ARAR INQUIRY

The Association has been invited by Justice O'Connor, the Commissioner of Inquiry into the deportation and torture of Mahar Arar, to make oral submissions on policy issues. Our policy submissions recommend the creation of a new National Security Review Agency to review the work of all national security agencies, including the RCMP and CSIS. We also recommend the creation of a National Civil Liberties Ombudsman and recommend the adoption of a principle of open governance.

Our submission: www.bccla.org/othercontent/05ararpolicy.htm
TELUS WEBSITE BLOCKING
The Association issued a press release denouncing the blocking of a website by telecommunications giant Telus. In the midst of a labour dispute, Telus blocked its internet service customers' access to a website operated by members of the Telecommunications Workers Union. The Association identified Telus' action as an attack on free expression and called on Telus to cease its actions immediately. The Association remained expressly neutral on the merits of the labour dispute.

The Association called for the block to be removed.

Our press release: www.bccla.org/pressreleases/05telus.htm
NATIONAL SECURITY MEASURES
WITHOUT NATIONAL DEBATE

The Association issued a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness expressing concern about the lack of democratic accountability in a series of "national security" initiatives that are hurtling ahead without proper public or even parliamentary debate. The Association is concerned that programs such as no-fly lists, the Smart Border Agreement and Lawful Access represent a gradual creep towards a surveillance society.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan appears to have overriding responsibility for each of these programs. We urge you to write the Deputy Prime Minister to express your concerns about the proposed programs.

The Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister
306 Justice Building
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-992-4524
Fax: 613-943-0044
(no postage required)

Our letter: www.bccla.org/othercontent/05national%20security.htm