In an opinion piece for Maclean’s, Ron Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab, warns of the increasing infringement on human rights as Canada continues to appease the Trump administration.
“Since Trump took office, Canada has continued these new deployments, adding 15 surveillance towers with high-resolution cameras, alongside new drones, four Black Hawk helicopters and a customized plane for aerial surveillance. Collectively, they deploy infrared, heat-seeking and other advanced detection capabilities. This accelerated shopping spree will bring a raft of risks to populations on both sides of the border.”
He cites previous Citizen Lab research which “has raised serious concerns about the widespread use (and abuse) of predictive policing and surveillance technologies by Canada’s security agencies, including those responsible for monitoring the border.”
Deibert urges the Canadian government to halt such hasty, oppressive investments, and instead direct the funds to protect the marginalized.
Read the full article in Maclean’s.