Police visits to anti-Games critics are a necessary compromise between personal freedoms and Olympics security, one of Canada's top privacy officials suggested today.
"We've understood that [security forces] have the need to establish relationships with possible dissidents," Chantal Bernier told the Tyee. "That is preventative work in relation to public safety."
Canada's assistant privacy commissioner was in Vancouver today to speak at a public safety conference.
She outlined how she'd met with representatives from the $900 million Vancouver Integrated Security Unit last February. Since then, security forces have been open and responsive whenever privacy concerns arise, Bernier added.
"They have answered all of our questions," she said.
Last September, intelligence officers approached a friend of Olympics critic Chris Shaw. The incident raised many concerns about the balance between privacy and security. Bernier wouldn't comment on specific ISU cases.
"Our job is not to second guess their security measures," she said. "Our job is to make sure they comply with the privacy act."
Last week, 20 academics from five countries issued a declaration calling on local, provincial and national governments to look at Olympics security with a watchful eye.
"Recent Games have increasingly taken place in and contributed to a climate of fear, heightened security and surveillance," reads the Vancouver Statement. "This has often been to the detriment of democracy, transparency and human rights."
It included several recommendations such as an independant study of security costs and effects after the Olympics are over.
Bernier called the document "well crafted". RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bud Mercer, who effectively leads the ISU, said he hasn't read the statement.
But he questioned any implication that 2010 Games security could have a negative impact on civil liberties.
"The researchers haven't talked to me so they don't have the full story," he told the Tyee. "What is it that they're basing their information on? Rumour, innuendo or media? I'm not sure."
Mercer maintained Olympics security planning has been "balanced" so far. And tactics such as unscheduled meetings with critics are part of the ISU's mandate to "plan for everything", he added.
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
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dirk
2 years ago
wtf ?
So let me get this straight if a person happens to be critical of the government etc the police are only doing what's neccassary if they show up on your door step and question you ?
Like wtf,the message is obvious,watch what you say,because the state is listening and will harass you at home,on the street or where ever.
I understand people must be accountable for their actions,but what the hell does voicing or writing critical points of views have to do with the police/state,how is it their business?
They need to establish a "relationship with possible dissidents",wtf does that mean ?
mcdull
2 years ago
I went to the Paramedic
I went to the Paramedic protest in Nanaimo on Saturday. It was mostly ignored by the media as usual. However I think the one guy video taping the people coming into the Plaza was a security person. Does that mean all of us who aren't paramedics will be getting a visit because we showed support. As I hope the readers of the Tyee will get out and support the Paramedics when they come to your community. Go to CUPE BC website and click on Bill 21 to see when it is coming to your area.
wcullen
2 years ago
RE Bud Mercer's comments
Bud Mercer: "The researchers haven't talked to me so they don't have the full story," he told the Tyee. "What is it that they're basing their information on? Rumour, innuendo or media? I'm not sure."
This is exactly why there should be close observation and a tight leash placed on people like Bud Mercer. Researchers don't have to talk directly to Mercer because their comments are (1) based on previous Olympics and the enormous evidence illustrating the infringement of civil liberties by police and intelligence units and (2)are based on general legal issues and issues of civil liberties, somethig which Mercer is NOT an expert in (in anyway, shape, or form).
Mercer's ignorance and arrogance are the reasons why government and citizens must keep these people in check. I am not questioning Mercer's expertise as a security expert, but I would challenge him to show me his qualifications in regards to civil liberties and the law (if anything, the Crown might have this expertise, but not the police). I would also question Mercer's competence as a researcher: something he clearly is not if for no other reason than his ignorance in why these experts can, in fact, comment as experts.
ZoeBlunt
2 years ago
"What is it that they're
"What is it that they're basing their information on? Rumour, innuendo or media? I'm not sure."
Apparently, Bud Mercer doesn't read The Tyee.
DPL
2 years ago
So far nobody has been
So far nobody has been around our place and I sure as hell am against the massive expenditures of tax payers money to run a circus lasting around 2 weeks. This whole thing has gone off the rails as the cops and even private security guys run around like headless chickens
Dan the socialist
2 years ago
The upcoming Police state
So are police monitoring various internet sites and forums? So if anyone says anything negative, dissents or criticizes the Olympics the Gestopo err RCMP will kick in the door?
Chantal Bernier sounds like a typical bureaucratic hack. We do have a Charter of Rights in this country, even during the Olympics although the IOC and VANOC do not seem to fully grasp that.
I wonder how many commissions or inquires there will be after the games?
Welcome to the police state.