PARLIAMENTARY WORK

Bill C-20, Public Complaints and Review Commission Act

Bill C-20 would create a new, independent review agency for both the RCMP and CBSA, the first ever independent review body for the CBSA. ICLMG has:

• Convened meetings with partners and member groups to discuss the bill;
• Helped organize a civil society technical briefing with Public Safety;
• Met with Craig Forcese, member of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency;
• Met with Reem Zaida, Policy Director for Public Safety.

Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security and amending the Telecommunications Act

The broad powers granted to government ministers in this bill raise concerns about the potential for secret surveillance, especially given the role of the CSE in protecting cybersecurity in Canada. ICLMG has:

• Partnered with other groups to analyze the bill & strategize on advocacy;
• Issued a joint open letter calling for reforms to the bill;
• Met with Conservative Party MP and Public Safety Critic Raquel Dancho;
• Met with NDP MP and Public Safety Critic Alistair MacGregor.

Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022

Bill C-27 is the government’s long-promised update to Canada’s private sector privacy law and would enact a new Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which raises major concerns given the growing use of AI in surveillance capitalism and government surveillance. ICLMG has:

• Met with partners and privacy experts to discuss the bill and strategy;
• Met with the European Centre for Non-profit Law, which has been working to address a similar law in the EU;
• Held multiple meetings with Industry Ministry staff to discuss concerns.

“Online harms” proposal

We have continued our work on the government’s proposal to combat online harms, including “terrorist content,” including:

• Continued participation in the “Online Harms Network”, including helping develop a draft position document on “red lines” for any eventual bill;
• Met with Julie Harb, Policy Advisor to the Minister of Heritage, to raise concerns about the government’s consultation process and the outcome of the Expert Advisory Panel convened by the government;
• Published: Government proposal to fight “online harms” presents dangers of its own.

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Countering terrorist financing & prejudiced audits of Muslim charities

In response to ICLMG’s report on the Canada Revenue Agency’s approach to countering terrorist financing in the charitable sector and, in particular, its audits of Muslim-led charities, the federal government mandated the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson to examine the issue. Since, we have:

• Aided charities in contacting the Ombudsperson;
• Met with the Ombudsperson regarding his revelation that important aspects of his work have been blocked by the CRA, published an op-ed on the troubling developments & strategized with partner organizations;
• Advised Senator Ratna Omidvar in advance of committee hearings;
• Followed up with the ministry of finance regarding updating risk assessment policies for the charitable sector.

International Assistance and anti-terrorism laws

Because the Taliban is a listed terrorist entity, federal agencies informed humanitarian organizations that they could face criminal charges under anti-terrorism laws if they provide humanitarian aid in the country because they would, for example, be paying taxes to the Afghan government. ICLMG has:

• Joined the Aid for Afghanistan campaign to advocate for the government to allow Canadian humanitarian groups to operate in the country;
• Joined the campaign’s working group on developing legislative amendments to address the issue, including by creating an exception in the anti-terrorism provisions of the Criminal Code;
• Met with David McGuinty, MP and Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians;
• Met with Reem Zaia, policy director to the Minister of Public Safety.

Justice for Dr Hassan Diab & reform of the Extradition Act

Pending Dr. Diab’s scheduled 2023 trial in France, we continue to advocate for his rights to be protected and for reforms to the Extradition Act, including:

• Organizing, hosting and participating in a press conference for Hassan Diab on Nov. 14, the 8th anniversary of his extradition to France;
• Updating our letter writing campaign calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to commit to no new extradition and to reforming the Extradition Act;
• Alongside others, successfully convincing the House Standing Committee on Justice to hold committee hearings on reform of the Extradition Act.

CSIS accountability and duty of candour

The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service has been found multiple times to have engaged in unlawful activities, and then misled the courts about it. They have violated their duty of candour and misled the public. We have:

• Submitted a written brief to MP Salma Zahid, who is working on a private members bill to address the issue, and met with her and her staff;
• Participated in Ottawa roundtable with MP Zahid and MP Jenna Sudds;
• Issued a statement regarding the case of Shamima Begum and CSIS;
• Written to the Prime Minister’s office to demand accountability;
• Written to NSIRA regarding their review of the Shamima Begum case.

Facial Recognition Technology (FRT)

ICLMG has continued researching and collaborating with partners to address the threat this surveillance technology poses to our fundamental rights.

• We issued a statement about the Standing Committee on Privacy, Ethics and Access to Information’s report on FRT use by law enforcement;
• We were invited to join the steering committee of a new coalition on FRT organized by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association;
• We were on a podcast discussing the urgent need for a ban on the use of facial recognition technology by police;
• We met with Reem Zaia, policy director to the Minister of Public Safety.

We met with several other MPs & government officials on multiple issues, including Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi; Policy Advisors from the Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry; the Director of Artificial Intelligence and Data Policy, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada; and the new Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne during an Office of the Privacy Commissioner civil society roundtable.

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PUBLIC-FACING WORK

ICLMG’s 20th anniversary

This year marks the 20th anniversary of ICLMG. To highlight the occasion:

• We held a webinar featuring colleagues and partners from over the past 20 years to reflect on the work of the coalition and the work that remains to be done: Twenty years of fighting for rights in the War on Terror;
• We are currently putting together a publication of short pieces, similar to the online panel, that reflects on ICLMG’s work and the challenges of defending civil liberties in the context of the War on Terror.

Canadians detained in Northeastern Syria

Approximately 40 Canadians continue to be indefinitely detained in life-threatening conditions in Northeast Syria. On this issue, we have:

• Issued a statement following the repatriation of 2 Canadian women and 2 children from NE Syria, calling for the repatriation of all Canadians;
• Participated in a press conference organized by Green Party leader Elizabeth May calling for the repatriation of Jack Letts and all Canadians;
• Met with partners to strategize to pressure the feds on repatriation;
• Met with Reem Zaia, policy director to the Minister of Public Safety;
• Following the news that the government is considering the repatriation of 19 Canadians, we sent an open letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly to call for the urgent repatriation of all Canadians.

Justice for Moe Harkat and abolish security certificates

ICLMG has continued to work to eliminate security certificates, and defend the rights of those who are placed under one. Our recent work has included:

• Updating the letter-writing campaign for justice for Mohamed Harkat;
• Helping to share actions as part of the “#MoeVember” campaign;
• Publishing a short video on Dec. 10, the 20th “anniversary” of Mohamed Harkat being placed under a rights-violating security certificate.

Canada’s armed drone purchase

The Canadian government is currently in the process of acquiring armed drones, partly for counter-terrorism purposes in Canada and abroad, both for surveillance and the possibility of carrying out lethal strikes. ICLMG has:

• Joined a working group opposed to the acquisition of armed drones;
• Spoke at a webinar hosted by the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute and Just Peace Advocates: Militarizing the Sky: Opposing Canada’s Armed Drone Purchase

Listing of Iranian Canadians

Iranian-Canadians have faced repercussions due to the US government’s listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp as a terrorist entity. We have:

• Had a follow-up meeting with Iranian-Canadians;
• Sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly asking her to raise this issue with her US counterpart and asking for government action.

Ongoing No Fly List problems

• Worked with a student volunteer to update our No Fly List backgrounder;
• Responded to people seeking assistance re Canada’s & US no fly lists.

Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism

ICLMG has joined the recently formed Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism to be more active at the international level. We have:

• Attended a week-long strategy retreat for the coalition in New York City;
• Met with the UN Counter-terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) regarding the ongoing evaluation of Canada’s counter-terrorism activities;
• Attended CTED technical sessions on “Countering terrorist exploitation of information and communication technologies (ICT) and emerging technologies” and civil society roundtable;
• Connected with new international partners on various issues, including countering terrorist financing, AI regulation, the detention of human rights defenders and international oversight bodies.

Joint statements and sponsored events

• We signed onto this joint statement: Egypt’s Misuse of Counter-terrorism Measures Casts Shadow over COP27
• We signed a statement, alongside more than 200 organizations, demanding that the international community – including Canada – stand against the raids and closures of 7 Palestinian organizations
• We co-sponsored an event organized by the Noor Cultural Centre entitled “Against Islamophobia: Islam, Beauty, and Justice – A Conversation with former Guantanamo detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi and law professor Khaled Abou El Fadl”

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ICLMG IN THE MEDIA

“Canada Ends Muslim Charity Suspension Amid Bias Review,” James Munson, Bloomberg News, 14 July 2022

“Tackling Islamophobia begins by rebuilding trust with the Muslim community,” Abdul Nakua, Policy Options, 2 August 2022

“Canada’s Muslim charities deserve fairness from tax officials,” Monia Mazigh, Ottawa Citizen, 31 August 2022

“Twenty-one years later, the brutal legacy of the War on Terror lives on,” ICLMG, 11 September 2022

“Federal cybersecurity bill threatens privacy, transparency, civil society groups say,” Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press, 28 September 2022

“MPs call for tight federal restriction on use of facial recognition technology,” Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press, 4 October 2022

« Des députés fédéraux réclament un encadrement strict de la reconnaissance faciale, » La Presse Canadienne, 4 octobre 2022

“Commons committee recommends ‘national pause’ on use of facial recognition technology,” Amanda Jerome, The Lawyer’s Daily, 11 October 2022

“Mass Surveillance Is Bad News for Privacy — and Democracy,” David Moscrop, Jacobin, 16 October 2022

“MPs to review Canada’s extradition system in coming justice committee hearings,” Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press, 14 November 2022

“Mother of Canadian detained in Syria accuses of Ottawa of shirking duty to help,” Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press, 15 November 2022

Check out all coverage of ICLMG in the media here.

We have also published countless reactions on our social media accounts, which continue to reach tens of thousands.

We publish our News Digest every other week, which is distributed to thousands of people and has received numerous accolades.

+ Check out the News Digest archive if you’ve missed some of our issues.

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What we have planned for 2023!

Your support will allow us to continue our work on these issues over the coming months:

• Advocating for changes to anti-terror laws that prohibit Canadian organizations from providing international assistance in Afghanistan and other regions in need;
• Ensuring that the Canadian government’s proposals on “online harms” do not violate fundamental freedoms, or exacerbate the silencing of racialized and marginalized voices;
• Protecting our privacy from government surveillance, including facial recognition, and from attempts to weaken encryption, along with advocating for privacy law reform;
• Fighting for Justice for Mohamed Harkat, an end to security certificates, and addressing problems in security inadmissibility;
• Ensuring Justice for Hassan Diab and reforming Canada’s extradition law;
• The return of the 40+ Canadian citizens indefinitely detained in Syrian camps, including more than 20 children;
• The end to the CRA’s prejudiced audits of Muslim-led charities;
• Pushing for Canadian government action on behalf of Iranian Canadians negatively and unjustly impacted by the US terror listing of the IRGC;
• Greater accountability and transparency for the Canada Border Services Agency;
• Greater transparency and accountability for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service;
• Advocating for the repeal of the Canadian No Fly List, and for putting a stop to the use of the US No Fly List by air carriers in Canada;
• Pressuring lawmakers to protect our civil liberties from the negative impact of national security and the “war on terror”, as well as keeping you and our member organizations informed via the News Digest;
• And much more!

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If you think our work is important, please support the ICLMG!

We do not receive any funding from any federal, provincial or municipal governments or political parties so your support is essential to our work.

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