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VANCOUVER Federal Liberals are supporting the Conservatives controversial anti-terrorism bill because they dont want the government to make political hay of national security issues in an election year, party leader Justin Trudeau suggested last week.

Speaking at the University of British Columbia Wednesday, Trudeau encountered a student audience that was vocally critical of the Grits support for the sweeping legislation. The Liberal leader told the crowd he sympathizes with the many Canadians who have concerns about Bill C-51.

My hope, he said, is that this government actually realizes from public pressure that it is going to have to make significant amendments to this bill.

But we know that, tactically, this government would be perfectly happy if the opposition completely voted against this bill because it fits into their fear narrative and [their desire to] bash people on security.

Trudeau said he didnt want to discourage the Tories from making amendments to the bill. But, he suggested, the Conservatives might try to score political points by preventing any amendments if they thought Liberal party support was dependent on them.

I do not want this government making political hay out of an issue or trying to, out of an issue as important as security for Canadians, Trudeau said.

This conversation might be different if we werent months from an election campaign, but we are, he added.

The Conservatives anti-terrorism legislation would greatly expand the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), giving it the ability to break the law including a Canadians Charter rights, as long as a judge agreed to it. CSIS would also be able to disrupt or undermine various activities such as illegal protests by environmentalists or diaspora groups denouncing activities back home.

The definition of what constitutes an activity that undermines the security of Canada is so broad that it includes not just terrorism and the territorial integrity and security of the country but also critical infrastructure, border operations, the administration of justice, the financial stability of the country, activities that could cause serious harm to a person or property because of their association with Canada, or an activity in Canada that undermines the security of another state.

Trudeau told the approximately 800 people in attendance that he understands concerns from aboriginal groups, environmental organizations and anyone who happens to disagree with the Conservative government that they could be targeted by the legislation.

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Liberals Are Supporting Bill C-51 So Tories Can't Make 'Political Hay,' Trudeau Says