Smith tables bill aimed at convicted terrorists
A new private member’s bill tabled by MPP Dave Smith at Queen’s Park calls for sanctions for Canadian-born terrorists.
The bill, The Terrorist Activities Sanctions Act, was introduced by the Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
It’s aimed at anyone convicted of a terrorist offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. If passed, the bill would see children of parents convicted of terrorist acts determined to be in need of protection under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
Convicted terrorists would be permanently banned from receiving health-care benefits, driving licences, Ontario Works support, WSIB coverage, education loans or grants, rent-gearedto-income or special needs housing and hunting and fishing licences.
Smith issued a statement Monday: “I have had numerous people come up to me with concerns, they want to know that a convicted terrorist cannot walk around freely without real consequences. If they are not in a jail cell, they do not deserve the same privileges of every Ontarian. Some acts are unforgivable,” he stated. “Since the federal government doesn’t seem to take this seriously, I felt obligated to take action and send a message that there are consequences for leaving Ontario to commit indefensible crimes.”
Almost 200 Canadians have been part of foreign terrorist groups, the government reported last year, with some returning to Canada and others detained overseas.
The issue came up in Ottawa Monday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during Question Period that his government would support a Conservative motion to develop a plan to deal with Canadians who join terrorist groups.