Troubling news out of BC and Alberta
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 13 August 2020 12:36
- Written by editor
Dear BCCLA Supporter,
150 days – that’s about how long social distancing measures have been in place and our daily lives as we knew it have changed. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic brings out feelings of anxiety in each of us. Fear and uncertainty are legitimate responses to a global pandemic with hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide.
Since the pandemic hit, the staff at the BCCLA have been closely monitoring provincial and federal government responses to the pandemic, including necessary health and safety measures.
Recently, we’ve been voicing our opposition to government measures in Alberta and BC that unnecessarily increase undemocratic government powers and limit accountability.
In BC, the government passed Bill 19, The COVID-19 Related Measures Act. Under the act, the government can temporarily change any legislation during an emergency, without any oversight from the public and without approval from the legislature. The public cannot know about the proposed changes or voice disapproval until after the law... has already come into effect.
The act also changes government emergency powers permanently. Cabinet can unilaterally declare a state of emergency, and it can amend any piece of legislation during the course of that emergency. You can read my full analysis of the four reasons we are concerned about this bill here.
Meanwhile, in Alberta, the provincial government has passed Bill 10, The Public Health (Emergency Powers) Amendment Act. Similar to the bill in BC, this bill allows cabinet ministers to unilaterally write new laws without any oversight from the Legislative Assembly.
Both of these laws are troubling to us. They limit your ability to hold your elected officials accountable. This is an unjustifiable limit on a fundamental democratic right. This cannot stand.
We are committed to pressuring the governments of BC and Alberta to
roll back the expansion of unnecessary power that they’ve given
themselves.
These political fights are confusing. They only
add to the uncertainty and worry that many people are feeling right
now. We know it can be hard to keep up.
But we’re determined to keep up. In uncertain times, the BCCLA will stand up for civil liberties and human rights for all. Government overreach won’t go unchecked. We will defend your fundamental democratic rights.
Day in, day out, we are doing urgent advocacy work, meeting with government officials, drafting policy briefs, and considering legal challenges. We are also providing the public with critical resources and factsheets.
We can’t wait to let you know more about where we go next with these battles, and how you can be a part of it. Thank you for standing up for civil liberties and human rights for all.
With hope,
Meghan McDermott (she/her/hers)
Interim Policy Director
