Ottawa

Canada’s top court on terrorism

Tease the day: Three men who’ve challenged the definition hear from the Supreme Court

CP/Adrian Wyld

Have you ever heard of Momin Khawaja, Piratheepan Nadarajah or Suresh Sriskandarajah? Khawaja is the closest to a household name, given that he was the first Canadian charged—and convicted—under anti-terror laws passed quickly in 9/11’s wake. No matter your acquaintance with the three men, the country’s top court will refresh your memory. Today, the Supreme Court will rule on the definition of terrorism as it was applied to Khawaja, Nadarajah and Sriskandarajah—the latter two of whom are wanted in the United States for allegedly attempting to supply Tamil Tigers with weapons.

Eleven years after Canada’s parliament reacted swiftly to perceived security threats after terrorists struck the United States, its judgment will be tested by the top court. Will its decision turn Khawaja, Nadarajah and Sriskandarajah into household names?

UPDATE: It wasn’t even close. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals of all three men, and upheld Canada’s anti-terror law. The answer to the question above, about our newest prospective household names? We’ll dismiss that one, too.


What’s above the fold this morning?

The Globe and Mail leads with provinces’ plans to increase Canada Pension Plan benefits. The National Post fronts Canada’s refusal to sign an international treaty granting the United Nations some control over the internet. The Toronto Star goes above the fold with nearly obsolete software used by Canadian search-and-rescue coordinators. The Ottawa Citizen leads with controversial federal EI reform. iPolitics fronts the government’s refusal to name companies that are barred from bidding on federal contracts. CBC.ca leads with criticism of federal detention of migrant childrenNational Newswatch showcases the Star‘s story about search-and-rescue software.


Stories that will be (mostly) missed

1. Marois in NYC. Quebec premier Pauline Marois spoke to a Manhattan audience about the benefits of investing in Quebec. She spoke little of sovereignty for the province. 2. Aboriginal protest. A 72-year-old Saskatchewan man has joined chief Theresa Spence in a hunger strike. He says he’s ready to die if it means the feds will listen to aboriginal concerns.
3. Shared data. Canada and the U.S. signed an agreement yesterday that allows biographical and biometric data of visa applicants to both countries to be shared by authorities. 4. Foreign workers. In a human rights complaint, a Chinese national working at a B.C. mine says union complaints about foreign workers at the site are “likely to create contempt” for Chinese workers.

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