#TellVicEverythingExeptWhat'sInTheBill

After finally reading his own bill, it appears Vic Toews has decided to side with the child pornographers:

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says he is surprised to learn that a section of the government's online surveillance bill provides for "exceptional circumstances" under which "any police officer" can request customer information from a telecommunications service provider.

In an interview airing Saturday on CBC Radio's The House, Toews said his understanding of the bill is that police can only request information from the ISPs where they are conducting "a specific criminal investigation."

But Section 17 of the 'Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act' outlines "exceptional circumstances" under which "any police officer" can ask an ISP to turn over personal client information.

Safe to say, the Tories are in full backpedal mode right now. All of this serves as a valuable reminder that even in a majority position, there are limits to what a government can do.

So, you know, maybe read the bill first next time.

#TellVicEverything

The #TellVicEverything meme has exploded on Twitter today, in response to Vic Toews' proposed legislation to force Internet service providers to monitor their customers’ online activities and turn the information over to the government (without a warrant). On Monday, Vic said "you're with us or you're with the pornographers"...and it appears many Canadians have chosen a side.

As far as protests go, it's fairly mild and a bit passive-aggresive, but it sure beats occupying a park.

Broken Toews

Rumours are flying that Vic Toews, Minister of Whatever-The-Hell-He-Was-Shuffled-Out-Of-Justice-To, will soon be appointed as a federal judge in Manitoba...or not.

While some will cry about patronage, anything that gets Vic Toews out of Ottawa can't be that bad, so I don't have a huge problem with this. What it does mean is that, after nine months of non-stop election speculation, the media will soon move on to their second favourite topic - cabinet shuffle speculation!