At this point in time, I don't believe there is a balance between those rights. National security reasons take considerable precedence over Charter considerations, human rights considerations and respect for rights in Canada. Under the guise of national security, anything goes. And it is that impunity and the fact that national security is given precedence over the rights of Canadians that makes the whole process illegal.
The role of CSIS has already been mentioned. CSIS is not responsible only for security certificates; it is also responsible for deportation, for the removal from Canada of 9,000 to 10,000 foreigners, immigrants and refugees, on an annual basis.
We're told that CSIS was created to protect national security and that without its agreement, no one gets into Canada—which makes it a political police force. CSIS was created following the McDonald Commission, which brought to light the RCMP's role in rights violations in Canada.
In my opinion, CSIS must have its responsibilities with respect to immigration removed. That is one thing that has to be done. It is not up to CSIS to decide who can live in Canada and who cannot. There are other means available.
Now, let's talk about constitutionality. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms represents limited rights, in the sense that all rights are not set out in it. Many people see it as archaic and inspired from the British model. The fact is that many rights are not protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, hence the difficulty of turning legislation, such as the one dealing with security certificates, into a statute that is constitutional. Parliament was not the one to say that security certificates do not jibe with certain sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the judges did.
The role of this Committee and of Members of Parliament is to produce legislation that respects all human rights. Our impression—and I think that many members of the community have the same impression—it is that a knife has been planted deeply in our flesh. With this Bill, we are being told that the knife is being pulled out a little and that is presented as progress. But that is not the way it works. That is not what life is all about for people who are subject to a security certificate; that is not the way it is for the Arab Muslim community; that is not the way it is for refugees; and that is not the way it is either for the people of Canada. Most of the provisions relating to security certificates are found in the Anti-Terrorism Act.