Defend our Freedom: Vancouver Day of Action Against Bill C-51

People will be taking a stand from Victoria to Halifax, with more than 40 events across Canada confirmed for Saturday March 14, 2015

VANCOUVER, March 11, 2015 /CNW/ - On Saturday, March 14, people in Vancouver and across Canada will gather to protest Bill C-51: the federal government's new "secret police" law.

The Conservative government is trying to push through the proposed legislation, a law that would infringe on Canadians' civil liberties. While concerns with Bill C-51 are diverse, supporting organizations agree that the bill is reckless, dangerous and ineffective.

"This piece of legislation is a violation of our civil liberties and is unacceptable. It must be stopped," said Paul Finch, Treasurer, B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU). "Canadians should not have to choose between security and their rights."

"As Canada's leading digital rights organization and coordinator of the nationwide Protect Our Privacy coalition, we are happy to support these events based on our privacy and accountability concerns," said Steve Anderson, OpenMedia.ca's Executive Director. 

"We're seeing a growing upswell of everyday Canadians who are standing up to defend the freedoms necessary for a democratic society," said Jamie Biggar, Campaigns Director at Leadnow.ca, Canada's largest pro-democracy advocacy organization.  

The Day of Action Against Bill C-51 – which grew from a grassroots movement and grassroots coalition – is a national day of events hosted in more than 40 cities across the country including: Vancouver, Victoria, Vernon, Port Moody, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Antigonish NS, Toronto, Newmarket, Ottawa, London, Montreal and Sarnia.

The coalition is being coordinated and supported by Leadnow.ca, the BCGEU and OpenMedia.ca, with local leaders from across the country.

Vancouver's Day of Action Against Bill C-51 will take place at noon on Saturday, March 14th at the Vancouver Art Gallery (the steps on Georgia Street). Guest speakers include Josh Paterson, Executive Director, BC Civil Liberties Association. For more information: http://action.stopc51.ca

SOURCE B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

Media contact: Holly Reid, cell: 604-785-0124, email: [email protected]