Niagara Falls, ON - Wednesday, November 7, 2001 - by: Joe Hueglin
	Dear Editor,
	During times of war Governments generally seek to develop as broad a national consensus as possible.
	Canada's Prime Minister is either unaware or unconcerned about this as shown by his intransigence in refusing to accept either independent oversight or a time limitation on his anti-terrorist legislation. This in spite of the opinion of legislative committees, of all save police associations testifying before them, and, of the opinions of journalists both in columns and editorials.
	With a majority in the House of Commons for four more years and with a majority in the Senate the Government has the unfettered ability to pass into law a continuation of the same measures three years from now. Time limitations present no risk. The Government is, and will remain, in control of determining what becomes law. It has nothing to lose.
	Its present stance, however, endangers continuance of the national consensus forged out of the trauma of September 11th. Should the powers it is presently gathering in its hands be misused in implementation, public confidence in the Government may well be lost.
	In that the Government is as of now prepared to risk shattering the national consensus for no clear gain, it is imperative that attempts continue being made to have them realize the potential perils entailed.
	Those concerned about the future can do no less.
	Yours truly,
	Joe Hueglin 5838 Mouland Avenue Niagara Falls, Ontario
-----------------Reference
	Reprinted and archived editorial from Charlottetown Guardian, November 2, 2001