Mr. Big tactic should be allowed, especially in terrorism cases

Everyone in Canada should abide by our laws and everyone who transgresses should be held to account, including our protectors. The Mr. Big tactic, however, is a very valuable counter terrorism tool and must be part of the arsenal we give those in security intelligence and law enforcement, provided it is used appropriately.

The Supreme Court of Canada declared its discomfort with the tactic in rulings issued in 2014. The court stated that the Mr. Big approach could be used, albeit carefully, and that the alleged criminal cannot be put in a position where he feels that he is coerced or fearful of serious physical harm should he not give Mr. Big the response he wants, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY PHIL GURSKI

March 20, 2017

OTTAWA—In a democracy that prides itself on the rule of law, no one in Canada is above the law, even—and especially—those charged with enforcing it, i.e. law enforcement agencies and their members. Nothing subverts the faith a society has in its legal institutions more than the belief that law...

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