OTTAWA — The official Opposition pointed to a new U.S. report that discredits torture in renewing a call for the Conservative government to rescind its information-sharing policy.
In the House of Commons, New Democrat MP Peter Julian said the conclusion to be drawn from the U.S. Senate intelligence committee report is simple — torture doesn't work.
However, Julian pointed out, the Canadian government has issued directives to several police and security agencies allowing them to use and share information derived using brutal methods.
He asked the Conservatives to withdraw them immediately.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper ignored the demand, saying the U.S. report has nothing to do with Canada.
The Canadian policy has drawn persistent criticism from human rights advocates and opposition MPs who say it effectively condones torture, contrary to international law and Canada's United Nations commitments.
