LEVIS, Que. – The Conservatives went to great pains Monday to set themselves apart from their opponents on Bill C-24, saying a Liberal or NDP government would allow convicted terrorists who loathe Canada to roam the streets once they leave prison.
The bill, which became law in May, allows the federal government to strip Canadian citizenship from dual citizens convicted of terrorist offences.
The legislation has stoked controversy in recent days after the government announced Saturday that it revoked the citizenship of Zakaria Amara, a member of the so-called Toronto 18 terrorist group sentenced to life in prison in 2010.
READ MORE: NDP question timing of Conservative government decision to revoke citizenship
Defence Minister Jason Kenney said Monday that because the NDP and Liberals have promised to abolish the law, Amara – who pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb downtown Toronto – would be free to walk the streets and travel with a Canadian passport after serving his sentence. Amara becomes eligible for parole in 2016.
WATCH: Trudeau would let convicted terrorists keep Canadian citizenship
In contrast, a Conservative government would ensure that Amara, who holds Jordanian citizenship, would be deported as soon as he’s freed under the legislative authority of C-24, Kenney told a news conference in Levis, Que.
His comments came hours before Conservative Leader Stephen Harper was to participate in a debate on foreign issues in Toronto.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has opposed Bill C-24 and questioned the timing of the announcement to revoke Amara’s citizenship, coming as it did in the middle of the campaign, while Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has said he would remove elements of the law on the basis that it creates two classes of citizens.
The Tories also said Monday they would spend $700 million for light-rail transit in Surrey, B.C. Harper was expected to make the transit announcement in Surrey earlier this month but it was derailed by the Syrian refugee crisis.
The party says it would contribute up to one third of the costs for a proposed light-rail project spanning 28 kilometres.
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