(3BL Media/Justmeans) - A newly proposed Canadian terrorism bill is raising some eyebrows among environmental groups. A document entitled âCritical Infrastructure Intelligence Assessment,â that was obtained by Greenpeace, classifies anyone concerned about climate change as a potential âanti-petroleum extremist.â
As such, these individuals or groups could be referred to a newly empowered Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) under the auspices of activities âthat undermine the security of Canada,â particularly with respect to âcritical infrastructure.â
Okay, so theyâre worried about people who might blow up pipelines or refineries, fair enough. But they are specifically calling out well-established groups like Sierra Club and Greenpeace. I mean The Monkey Wrench Gang was written a long time ago.
Paul Champ, a lawyer working with the BC Civil Liberties Union, told The Globe and Mail that he had, âreal concerns [that the new law] is going to target not just terrorists who are involved in criminal activity, but people who are protesting against different Canadian government policies.â
For one thing, the bill, known as C-51, is written from a denialist perspective, saying that these groups, âassert climate change is now the most serious global threat, and that climate change is a direct consequence of elevated anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions which, they believe, are directly linked to the continued use of fossil fuelsâ¦.â