Canada's Parliament refuses to extend anti-terror measures

TORONTO -- Canada's House of Commons rejected an extension of the country's anti-terror legislation that allow for preventive arrests and compelled testimony.

The ruling conservative government wanted to extend the pieces of legislation that were set to expire Thursday, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper's motion was defeated 159-124 in the House of Commons.

The two measures are part of the previous Liberal government's response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. They empower authorities to arrest and detain suspects for three days without charge and to compel individuals with knowledge of terrorist activity to testify before a judge.

The pieces of legislation have never been used.

The move comes just days after another controversial anti-terror measure was struck down. Canada Supreme Court on Friday declared it unconstitutional to detain foreign terror suspects indefinitely while the courts review their deportation orders.

Opposition Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said they are an unnecessary infringement on civil liberties.

"These two provisions especially have done nothing to fight against terrorism," Dion said.

Maureen Basnicki, whose husband Ken was one of 24 Canadians killed in Manhattan's twin towers, said members of Parliament would seriously diminish Canada's capacity to fight terrorism if they do not vote to extend the provisions.

"We want to protect other Canadians from the devastation that we experienced," Basnicki said.