Rejecting the Principles of Liberalism Social 30-1

Why might governments choose to reject the principles of liberalism in some cases? Between 2002 – 2008, over 70,000 US soldiers were issued stop-loss orders where their term of service is involuntary extended for up to 15 months. Must governments adhere to the principles of liberalism in times of conflict? In 2008, Canada warned soldiers to not share information on sites such as Facebook . Is this a justifiable imposition of secrecy or is it unwarranted censorship? Is it possible to reconcile the rights of smokers and non-smokers? Should the government favour one side? On what grounds?

Crisis Situations The adherence to the principles of liberalism is often tested in democracies during times of crisis’. During times of war, emergency, and environmental crisis, liberal democracies have restricted movement, controlled access to information and limited peoples' rights and freedoms. Often these restrictions are not universally applied

War Measures Act First passed in 1914 Only invoked 3 times WWI WWII October Crisis, 1970 Gave the federal cabinet emergency powers where the existence of war, invasion, or insurrection, real or apprehended, existed. Cabinet could govern by decree rather than discussion and debate. Justification of the Act’s use Necessary for the overall good of society Justified due to the threat or severe nature of the situation Essential to protect, retain, or secure other principles of liberalism

WWI and Enemy Aliens Canada (and Newfoundland), as part of the British Empire, were at war with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (including part of the Ukraine). Under the War Measures Act, immigrants from these countries were considered enemy aliens. All aliens : had to register and carry government issued ID cards at all times. Were not permitted to read anything not in English or French Could not leave the country Could not posses firearms Banned from joining any group the government deemed dangerous. Several thousand enemy aliens were deported or sent to internment camps. Their property was confiscated and often was not returned Camps closed in 1920, two years after the war ended. At that time, no apology or compensation was offered.

Castle Mountain Ukrainian Internment Camp

Commemoration of the Castle Mountain Internment Camp in Banff National Park - the statue is entitled, simply, Why?

Roll-call at the Castle Mountain, Alberta internment camp, 1915.

Internees in the courtyard of the Fort Henry internment camp, Kingston, Ontario.

The Huns Band, Kapuskasing.

WWII and Japanese Internment Nearly 23,000 Japanese-Canadians, mostly native-born Canadians , were placed in internment camps in 1942. RCMP dismissed fears of disloyalty, clandestine actions, and sabotage as groundless but strong anti- Japanese sentiment caused the government to undertake relocation.

WWII and Japanese Internment 160km zone along Pacific coast was declared a “protected area”. All persons of Japanese origin were told to pack a single suitcase each. Every male 18-45 was separated from his family and sent to a work camp. Women and children were sent to interior of B.C. Government seized and sold their property. No compensation was given.

WWII and Japanese Internment At the end of the war, the government decided to remove all Japanese from B.C. 4000 left the country, most moved East. They could not return to B.C until 1949. In 1988, PM Brian Mulroney publicly acknowledged unjust actions and awards $21,000 for each individual directly wronged.

Internment camp, June 1945

A road crew of interned men building the Yellowhead Highway.

A Royal Canadian Navy officer questions Japanese-Canadian fishermen while confiscating their boat.

Women and children inside shack

October Crisis, 1970 People’s History 16:3 1960s were a period of change, true also in Quebec Quiet Revolution Rapid secularization of society, province took control of education and health care from the Catholic Church. Also lead to surge in Quebec nationalism, aimed to enhance opportunities for francophones in Quebec. FLQ – Front de liberation du Quebec Felt pace of change was to slow. Supported terrorism

October Crisis, 1970 1960s Series of bombings and armed robberies Largest, Montreal Stock Exchange, 27 injured Oct, 1970 – FLQ abducted James Cross, British trade commissioner Kidnapper Pierre Laporte, a Quebec cabinet minister. Army sent to protect politicians War Measures Act invoke About 500 arrested without warrants and held for up to 90 days.

Emergencies Act, 1988 Replaced War Measures Act to be harmonized with Charter of Rights and Freedoms Defines Emergency Situations Natural catastrophe Disease in humans, animals, or plants Accident or pollution Limits the powers of government All measures are subject to approval of Parliament Must specify which parts of Canada apply Must take rights into consideration (Reasonable limits) Compensation a must to anyone suffering injury or damage as a result of the Act.

USA PATRIOT ACT Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 Goals are to strengthen domestic security and broaden the powers of law-enforcement agencies to identify and stop terrorists. See handout

Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act Similar to PATRIOT Act Expired February 2007 Voices pg. 396-397

Canada’s No-Fly List A list of people who potentially pose a threat to aviation security therefore are barred from flying. Less than 1000 names? USA has over 44,000. Maher Arar’s case showed fault in system