In response to the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11 2001, the government of Canada has proposed new anti-terrorism legislation known as Bill C-36. It is clear that Bill C-36 challenges many rights and freedoms that are protected under the Charter we as Canadians value so highly. This bill consists of several changes and amendments to Canadian law in areas such as criminal procedure, international relations, immigration, individual privacy, law enforcement, and charitable giving. These proposed changes to Canadian law has generated heavy criticisms by scholars, officials, and numerous others, regarding the potential impact that these changes may have upon the civil rights and liberties of Canadians. This legislation proposes new measures to identify, prosecute, convict, and punish terrorist organizations, and also to provide new investigative ways for law enforcement and national security agencies to uncover terrorist activities. With this kind of legislation producing such serious measures in hopes of creating more effective anti-terrorism laws, it is not surprising to see so many provisions come along with them as to ensure Canadians' values and rights are preserved.
             With respect to the changes that Bill C-36 outlines, there are numerous amendments to existing pieces of legislation including the Criminal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act, and measures respecting the registration of charities in order to combat terrorism, and the financing of terrorism. It also has changes in regard to the seizure of property belonging to terrorist organizations for the use of terrorist activities. But changes to the Canada Evidence Act is one of the amendments that has received quite a few concerns relating to the disclosure of information in court proceedings.
             As described by the Justice Department of Canada, the amendment to the current act is to "addres...