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Anti-terror measures look set to expire

Two measures introduced by Canada in the rush to protect the country against terrorist threats after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are expected to be allowed to expire early next week, with opposition politicians saying there is no longer a need for such sweeping laws.

The two measures, which have not been used but have stirred strong debate, allow the police to hold suspects without charges for 72 hours if they are accused of plotting an attack and authorize judges to compel witnesses to testify in terror cases.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a Conservative, wants to keep the provisions in place, but all three opposition parties in Parliament said they would vote against such a move.

The opponents include the Liberal Party, which was in power in 2001 and introduced the anti-terrorism legislation.

The combined opposition parties have more votes in the House of Commons than do the Conservatives.

"Now that we are five years beyond Sept. 11, we think it's no longer necessary to have these draconian provisions," John McCallum, a member of the Liberal Party and a former defense minister, told the Canadian television network CTV.
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