Implementing the War Measures Act and Sending Troops Into Quebec

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Why War Measures Act and sending troops to Quebec is justified
Why the War Measures Act, and sending troops to Quebec is not a solution
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

FLQ group has existed in Canada for several years. In October, FLQ was linked in kidnapping Mr. James Cross, a British trade minister for Canada in his Westmount home, some days later; they abducted Mr. Pierre Laporte, the Quebec minister for labor. Prior to these kidnaps, the law enforcers in Quebec had collected secret information on the group’s unaccomplished activities in the region.

The law enforcer’s reveals that the group was in the middle of executing a kidnap mission on Israel and American diplomatic missions in Montreal (Pike). These criminal actions associated with FLQ group suggest that if left unchecked, Quebec is likely to plunge into a lawlessness region in the country.

The Prime Minister is alarmed by these criminal activities of the group. Hence, as a member of his cabinet, he has informed me to give suggestions whether the cabinet can implement War Measures Act and send troops to Quebec to thwart the organization’s criminal activities.

In this memo, I outline several reasons why the Prime Minister should implement the War Measures Act so that the FLQ criminal activities can be prevented. I believe that once implemented, the Act will help restore calm, renew Canadians confidence and prevent future occurrences of similar criminal activities, not only in Quebec but also in the rest of the country.

Why War Measures Act and sending troops to Quebec is justified

I believe the Prime Minister should implement the War Measures Act to help restore calm and return the rule of law in Quebec province. The act is critical because it will allow the Federal government to renew the confidence of the Canadian people (Fisher). The Act, besides dealing directly with the FLQ group, it will also help repress other criminal groups in the province that are involved in lawlessness activities.

Similarly, Jenish indicates that the Act will confer powers to the police and the army to search, detain and arrest individuals (leaders) commanding the terror group (Jenish). This will eventually weaken the group’s participation in terror activities and restore peace and stability in Quebec.

Also, by implementing the War Measures Act, the law will prevent repeat of similar crisis in the future. Jenish claims that kidnapping diplomatic and government officials are acts of treason; it tarnishes the integrity of the host country. Besides, the criminals may utilize the gaps available in the law to commit more crime. Thus, the cabinet initiative to support Prime Minister’s direction will help deter the group from destabilizing the region in the future (Jenish).

The historical background of FLQ is rooted in its quest to have a pro-independence state. Thus, Borovoy (110) claims that at some point in Quebec history, the group wanted to make Quebec a sovereign state specifically for English speaking Canadians (Borovoy, 110). To reinforce their threats, they used violence and enhanced unlawful practices in the province. Owing to their criminal history, I believe that by implementing the War Measures Act, the province will liberate itself from the criminal activities of this group.

Why the War Measures Act, and sending troops to Quebec is not a solution

Despite the War Measures Act being significant in restoring peace and calm in the region, I feel its implementation by the Prime Minister will have negative impact on the population living in Quebec province. This is because the War Measures Act will inspire fear in the population.

Similarly, the Act will empower the police and the army, making them target innocent people through a mistaken identity (Borovoy, 119). Thus, the War Measures Act will create more unrest leading to non -cooperation between the citizens and the authority in regard to provision of vital information.

Also, Lévesque (167) cites that the War Measures Act is meant to be implemented when Canada is facing imminent threat or aggression from other nations. Thus, in this context, Canada is not at war with any country. Therefore, by implementing the Act, the Prime Minister will be seen as a misusing his powers as provided in the Canadian constitution (Lévesque, 165).

It is also feared that by implementing the Act, the cabinet will be tramping on the Civil Rights of its people (Tetley, 98). This is because the War Measures Act allows police and the army to use use force when conducting search in residential places. Similarly, Vault and William (113) indicates that the Act empowers the police and the army to carry out unjustified arrests without giving explanations.

Moreover, Vault and William (115) also indicate the Act gives law enforcers powers to expel or exclude individuals when suspected as members of illegal organization. Hence, the Act will be exploited by the police and the army to suppress the rights of ordinary people. Besides these arguments, Vault and William (112) also point out that the law will not distinguish the FLQ members and other innocent groups/organizations; hence, this justification will complicate its smooth application in the province.

Moreover, Vault and William (109) allege that more issues will arise as a result of implementing the War Measures Act. He opines that “in tumultuous times, it is easy for a person to create speculative thoughts” (Vault and William, 109). This is done in order to gain a mileage in politics.

In this case, I believe that the Canadians will view the Prime Minister benefiting from the law. Similarly, Tetley (131) points out that the Prime Minister’s government will be viewed as obstructing nationalism and quelling separatism as advocated by the FLQ in some of their demand.

Conclusion

The activities of FLQ need to be condemned by all peace lovers. The wicked acts they have committed such as kidnapping innocent people should not be tolerated. They should use official avenues to voice their concerns. Hence, having a hidden agenda and expressing it through acts of terror and violence is not the best way to do.

As a member of the Prime Minister’s cabinet, I support the government decision of implementing War Measures Act. I believe when this Act is implemented a clear and swift action will taken against the FLQ group. The Prime minister’s government will be able to contain the group quickly before its criminal activities spread across the country.

By implementing the War Measures Act in Quebec, the Federal government will help renew the Canadian confidence in matters of their security and protection. This is because the role of the government is to protect its people. Also, the Act will confer powers to the army and police to search and detain individuals spearheading unrests in the province. This will ultimately contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Moreover, the War Measures Act will prevent future repeat of similar crisis. This is because individuals and other groups will fear being caught on the wrong side of the law. Also, by assessing the group’s historical roots, we can deduce that it is linked to history of violence. This fact, therefore, reinforces the assertion that the Prime Minister should move ahead and implement the Act. If not implemented, the province will continue to witness a series of violence (Lévesque, 249).

On the other hand, by implementing the Act, and ultimately sending troops to Quebec, the local people will live in fear. This is because the army and the police will use brutal approach in their attempt of flushing out FLQ members and fail to recognize the real culprits.

Moreover, the Act is only meant to be implemented when Canada is facing external threat or aggression from other nations. Thus, in this context, Canada is not at war; hence, the Prime Minister will be misusing his powers while attempting to implement it. I would suggest that the Prime Minister should search for alternate strategies of containing the activities of this group rather than using the War Measures Act.

Lastly, the Act will create adverse effect on the citizens of the province. This is because it will withdraw their civil rights such as right of expression, movement, speech and association among others. And when these fundamental freedoms are taken away from the people, it is likely that more people will be motivated to join this group or other groups as a way of illustrating their anger. Besides, people will view the government has unfriendly to them and possibly fail to involve actively in its activities.

Works Cited

Borovoy, Alan. “Rebuilding a Free Society,” in Power Corrupted: The October Crisis and the Repression of Quebec, Abraham Rotstein, ed. Toronto: New Press, 1971. Print.

Fisher, Douglas. The October Crisis revisited, 2012. Web.

Henderson, R David. Trudeau’s War Measures Act: A Reminiscence, 2010. Web.

Jenish, D’Arcy, The October Crisis, 2012. Web.

Lévesque, René. Memoirs, Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1986. Print.

Pike, Cynthia. The Consequences of the War Measures Act, 2012. Web.

Tetley, William, October Crisis, 1970: An Insider’s View, Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s Press – MQUP, 2007. Print.

Vault, de Carole and William Johnson. The informer: confessions of an ex-terrorist, Scarborough: Fleet Books, 1982. Print.

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