Canada: Superior Court finds anti-terrorism legislation unconstitutional

On 24 October, the Ontario Superior Court held that the definition of “terrorist activity” in the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) violated freedoms of religion, expression and association guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court struck down the part of the definition that required a political, religious, or ideological objective or cause. On 19 October, the same court held that some provisions of the Security of Information Act (SIA), amended in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, violated freedom of expression and the media by allowing the Government to arbitrarily classify information and to punish those who communicate or confirm such information.

Judgement (ATA) ATA Judgement (SIA) SIA