24 Apr 2022
Canadian computing infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to backdoor attacks, both by hostile states and possibly by non-state actors such as terrorist groups or private corporations. We would argue that the threat is both large and increasing, and hard to counter. To ensure that Canada is as ready to deal with any concerted attacks on its infrastructure and information systems it is critical that there is funding for research into the threats we face and how to counter them.
We support the development of an offensive cyber-warfare capability to ensure that we are capable of operating effectively in the event of a conflict. Given the grave threat that the abuse or misuse of an offensive cyberwarfare capability, including our own, might pose to Canada, we will ensure that there is full transparency of the principles employed in both offensive and defensive cyber-warfare capabilities and spending. We will ensure that there is legislation to prevent the use of military cyber-warfare related equipment or techniques by the government within Canada or against Canadians nationals overseas.
When governments engage in Stasi-style NSA total-survellance tactics it puts their citizens at risk of foreign surveillance. Even if the government is using their records responsibly to combat legitimate security threats, the risk of their records being intercepted by foreign national governments or private interests is real and dangerous. In all military efforts protecting citizens should be priority.
24 Apr 2022
Canada’s military spending should be focused on our conventional peacekeeping forces, especially on forces that can be rapidly deployed. Airborne forces, infantry and other front line units bear the brunt of operations in the 21st century and should be prioritized. The fact Canada’s military has such old and worn out equipment is a danger to the troops who protect us.
The world is quickly leaving the era of countries fighting other countries, and the Pirate Party proposes that we re-focus the military into a global peace force and reduce our spending on offensive weaponry, including tanks and air-to-air combat vehicles.
23 Apr 2022
We will introduce significant reforms to the system of rehabilitation of offenders in Canada. The current recidivism rate is around 50%, in part due to discrimination against former prisoners after release. The Pirate Party will propose removing the requirement to declare spent criminal convictions and toughen legislation making it illegal to discriminate against people with spent convictions.
23 Apr 2022
No extradition should be permitted where a Canadian judges deems that an extradition would not be in the interests of justice. We will ensure that Canadian judges have the power to halt an extradition until they were satisfied that a case is trial ready, as well as the power to refuse extradition where the country seeking extradition is clearly not the appropriate place for trial.
We would also seek clearer rules to deal with cases where there is a multinational aspect to ensure cases are handled transparently and fairly. We would address the perceived imbalance in the US-Canada extradition treaty by requiring that the standards for extradition being granted and the information required to assess each case are the same whether an extradition request comes from the US or Canada. Any extradition treaty must not only be fair, it must also be perceived as fair by the public. Through raising public confidence in government the best possible environment for great minds to shape the world of tomorrow.
23 Apr 2022
The Passive House standard requires a house to be be so well constructed and insulated that it is warm enough without requiring much heating; typically it will require no heating at all. 30,000 passive houses have been built around the world and Canada should work to catch up. We will aim to ensure that all new houses built in Canada adhere to a reasonable standard that is as close to the Passive House standard in terms of aims as possible.
