After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

CSIS

From left: Haisla member in Kitimat; Enbridge protest, Josh Paterson

Observer exposé of domestic spying triggers federal hearings

The spying was revealed in documents obtained in 2013.
Federal anti-terrorism bill changes not enough to satisfy concerns

Human rights groups call on government to withdraw Bill-C51

Seven leading human rights groups issued a joint statement Monday calling on the government to withdraw the legislation.
Rights group presses watchdog on CSIS records about Northern Gateway pipeline

BCCLA presses watchdog on CSIS records about Northern Gateway pipeline

 A civil liberties group says newly disclosed Canadian Security Intelligence Service records on protest surveillance bolster its formal complaint that spies went too far in eyeing environmental...
Quebec says it should have been consulted on federal anti-terrorism bill

Quebec says it should have been consulted on federal anti-terrorism bill

QUEBEC — The Quebec government says it has serious concerns with the Conservatives’ anti−terror bill and chided Ottawa for not consulting with the provinces before drafting the...
Protest against Bill C-51

Bill C-51: Harper's Draconian power grab

Thirty years ago, the federal McDonald Commission faced terrorist threats— but fiercely defended "public trust" and civil rights. Now Harper's Bill C-51 is grinding both under the Conservative boot.
CSIS, SIRC, Canada terrorism bill, civil liberties

Thousands protest Bill C-51 across Canada

An estimated 2,000 protesters descended on the streets of Vancouver Saturday to express frustration with the federal government’s proposed anti-terror bill.  In front of the Vancouver Art...
Image of Bill C-51

World Interfaith Harmony Week embodies values Harper rejects

The core of all spiritual teachings is love. In my opinion, Stephen Harper has veered sharply away from this core value, but others have not.
Stephen Harper and Canadian armed forces

Bill C-51 could be the biggest bait and switch Canada has ever seen: opinion

Bill C-51 may end up being the biggest bait and switch in the history of Canada.
Harper's terror bill

Harper's scary new terror bill needs oversight

In this opinion piece, the author argues that the extended powers Harper seeks through Bill C-51 are ripe for abuse.
Harper tells Canadians to give up their civil liberties for security reasons

Prime Minister Harper creates Canadian secret police with his scary Anti-Terrorism Act

Opinion: Prime Minister Stephen Harper has introduced a law that threatens Canadians' civil liberties