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Situational Awareness

An email leaked to the press should give freedom-loving Canadians pause for thought.

A story in the Ottawa Citizen last week should cause concern for every Canadian. The story was of a leaked email sent to all federal departments by the Government Operations Centre (GOC) in Ottawa. The email directed them to report any known demonstrations “which will occur either in your geographical area or that may touch on your mandate.”

“We will compile this information and make this information available to our partners … this information will only be used by the GOC for our Situational Awareness.”

According to Public Safety Canada the GOC is mandated to provide strategic-level coordination in response to an emerging or occurring event affecting the national interest.

But according to documents obtained through the Access to Information Act by APTN National News, last year the GOC produced a spreadsheet detailing 32 events planned by the aboriginal community in support of antifracking. Those included a healing dance in Kenora, Ont., a prayer ceremony in Edmonton and an Idle No More “taco fundraiser, raffle and jam session” planned at the Native Friendship Centre in Barrie, Ont.

Last week’s GOC directive significantly expands its surveillance activities to include all demonstrations by any person or group.

Supposedly that would even include the walkout by local high school students last week. Congrats to the grads – you get both a diploma and a dossier.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller