Hundreds of Canadian artists warned in an open letter this week that the country's recently passed anti-terrorism law has a "chill" effect and "directly attacks the creative arts and free expression."

The signatories include author Margaret Atwood, musician Raffi, and filmmaker Paul Haggis.

The bill, C-51, passed in June, and has been criticized for its vast expansion of powers to spy agencies without accountability, and the BC Civil Liberties Association denounced it as "representing[ing] a massive threat to the freedoms of Canadians, without making us any safer," adding that it "violates key constitutional rights."

"This bill was rammed through Parliament by the Harper Conservative government, despite a huge public outcry and without due consultation," the letter states. "As many experts have pointed out, this bill allows the government to silence dissenting voices without oversight or accountability. It criminalizes 'advocating or promoting the commission of terrorism offences in general,' which, because of this vague wording, could be interpreted in some very stupid ways. In effect, it gives the government carte blanche to suppress any voice they don’t like," the authors write in their letter.

They ask if it constitutes "terrorism" if they

write a spy novel about an assassination plot?

record a song questioning our government’s agenda?

paint a mural about the conflict in Syria?

produce a documentary on security threats in Canada?

put on an art show critical of the oil sands?

make a film with an environmental theme?

David Christopher writes at Ricochet Media that the letter "is sure to remind voters of just what's at stake over the coming weeks. Our core democratic principles are under threat, and only a complete repeal of this irresponsible bill can safeguard our rights and freedoms."

Commenting on the massive public outcry the bill has sparked and how it's an issue in the election next month, Christopher continued, "Tens of thousands have taken part in nationwide rallies, with thousands more writing to their MPs, senators, and local newspapers. Months after C-51 was forced through Parliament, it’s now become a major election issue. Finally, on Oct. 19, every Canadian voter will now have a chance to deliver a decisive verdict on the bill."

The open letter appears in full below:

Dear Party Leaders,

We are Canadian artists. We have been blessed to be part of a country that does not send poets to gulags, that does not behead people for saying things a government considers critical of it, and that does not murder dissidents and journalists wholesale.

But we know that totalitarian and repressive regimes always try to shut down artists, along with any other independent voices. We are alert to the possibilities: we, and all who wish a free and open society, must strongly oppose such tendencies when they arise.

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Bill C-51 directly attacks the creative arts and free expression in this country.

This bill was rammed through Parliament by the Harper Conservative government, despite a huge public outcry and without due consultation. As many experts have pointed out, this bill allows the government to silence dissenting voices without oversight or accountability. It criminalizes “advocating or promoting the commission of terrorism offences in general,” which, because of this vague wording, could be interpreted in some very stupid ways. In effect, it gives the government carte blanche to suppress any voice they don’t like.

Is it promoting terrorism if we:

- write a spy novel about an assassination plot?

- record a song questioning our government’s agenda?

- paint a mural about the conflict in Syria?

- produce a documentary on security threats in Canada?

- put on an art show critical of the oil sands?

- make a film with an environmental theme?

Creativity, expression, opinion, and art are not the same as terrorist propaganda. Through its “chill” effect, C-51 undermines one of the chief freedoms of a democratic society: the right of every Canadian to free speech and free expression, including free artistic expression.

In addition, Bill C-51, because of the lack of oversight and accountability, is an invitation to intellectual property theft. All creative classes, including entrepreneurs and digital creators, are threatened by it. And every citizen is subject to blackmail, due to unlimited, unaccountable access to personal information.

We agree with the more than 300,000 Canadians who have called on the government to scrap this reckless, dangerous and ineffective legislation through the petition at http://KillC51.ca.

This election we will be voting to protect our artistry, our rights, and our freedoms: we will be voting for the repeal of C-51. We hope you will join us in ensuring that all Canadians are no longer subject to the chilling effects of C-51 and targeted by government censorship.

We can defend against terrorists in much better ways than this.

Signed,

Margaret Atwood, Author

Mark Achbar, Filmmaker

Brett Gaylor, Filmmaker

Hayden Desser, Musician, Hayden

Cory Doctorow, Writer

John Dunsworth, Actor

Zach Gray, Musician, Zolas

John Greyson, Filmmaker

Paul Haggis, Filmmaker

Thomas King, Writer, Photographer

Dan Mangan, Musician

Ali Momen, Actor

Judy Rebick, Writer

Raffi, Musician, Author

Antonia Zerbisias, Writer



Aaron Carley, Musician

Aaron McHattie, Musician

Adam Vee, Music Producer, The Ludvico Treatment

Adrienne Barrett, Writer

Ah Ram Lee, CG Artist

Alex Fallis, Actor, Director, Teacher

Alex Kennedy, Writer

Alex Leslie, Author

Alex Tribe, Musician

Alexander Hauka, Cellist, Good For Grapes

Alexander Kennard, Writer, Musician, Communications Professional

Alexandre Millaire, Musician, Moonfruits

Alexis Mitchell, Artist

Alexis Young, Musician

Alfred Peter Gough, Artist, Vice President, Society of Canadian Artists

Alice Burdick, Writer, Bookseller

Alisa Gayle-Deutsch, Musician

Alison Smith, Writer

Alison Urquhart, Potter, Painter

Allie Weigh, Musician, Performer

Andrew Barrett, Theatre Practitioner, Impulse Theatre

Ann Douglas, Writer

Aparna Sanyal, Writer, Editor

Asher Ettinger, Musician

Barbara Meneley, Artist

Barry Webster, Writer

Beverly Taft, Musician

Bill Rowat, Actor

Bill Young, Musician Composer

Brad Fraser, Writer

Brian Bowman, Writer

Brianne Nord-Stewart, Filmmaker

Brittney Rand, Producer, Musician

Bryan Webb, Musician

Caitlin Coflin, Dancer

Cameron Chouinard, Musician, Songwriter, Producer

Cameron Dixon, Painter

Camille Sullivan, Actor

Carla Richards, Author

Carole Henshall, Potter

Carolyn Deby, Artist

Carolyn Marie Souaid, Poet

Cass Reimer, Artist-Educator

Catherine Craig, Artist

Cathy Gulkin, Film Editor

Cecilia Oberholzer, Painter

Chara Kingston, Museum Collections Manager

Charles Bowie, Author

Charles Demers, Comedian, Author

Chris Down, Artist

Christopher Majka, Writer

Christopher Reiche, Musician, Composer

Cindy Asoden, Videographer, YOLO Video Productions Inc/JCVDude

CJ Unsworth, Lighting Designer

Claire Cameron, Writer

Claire Coupland, Musician

Clayton Drake Musician, The Almighty Rhombus

Clô Laurencelle, Art Teacher

Constance Cooke, Choreographer

Corbin VanderZalm, Musician

Corey Redekop, Author

Cory Lavender, Editor

Cristina Greco, Writer

D Ferguson, Actor

Dafydd Palfrey, Filmmaker, Musician, Artist, Ten Pence Films/Dave Palmtree and the Palmtree Trio

Daisy Morant, Writer, Visual Artist

Damien Gillis, Filmmaker

Damien, Actor

Dave Meisner, Tour Manager

David Bobier, Artist, Director, Curator, VibraFusionLab

David Grenier, Artist

David LeReaney, Ator

David Ward, Musician

Deborah Dumka, Fibre Artist

Deborah Jones, Writer, Journalist, Photographer

Deena Aziz, Actor

Devin Gourley, Musician, Booking Agent

Devon Cooke, Filmmaker

Devon Urwin, Recording Artist, Film Worker

Diane Scaman, Photographer

Diane Schoemperlen, Writer

Dionne Brand, Writer

Don McKellar, Filmmaker

Donn Zver, Craftsman

Douglas Phillips, Musician

Douglas Williams, Photographer

Drew Arnott, Songwriter

Duane Janvier, Food Artist, Painter, Writer

Edmund Brownless, Musician

Edo Van Breemn, Film Composer

Elaine Carol, Artistic Director, MISCELLANEOUS Productions

Elise Moser, Writer, Editor

Elizabeth Greene, Poet

Elizabeth Philips, Writer

Elizabeth Saunders, Artist

Elle Flanders, Filmmaker

Elrington, Musician

Emily Millard, Musician, Miss Emily Brown

Endre Farkas, Poet, Playwright, Novelist

Erin Donovan, Musician, Director

Estee Klar, Writer

Farid Noordin, Photographer, Producer, Director

Farrah-Marie Miranda, Artist

Farzana Doctor, Author

Faten Toubasi , Visual Artist, Instructor

Fiona McLean, Artist

Florencia Comesana, Dancer, Singer

Frances Boyle, Writer

Francoise Thibault, Artist

Franke James, Artist, Author

Fraser Parkes, Musician, The Fuzzy Undertones

Freda Guttman, Multimedia Visual Artist

Fulvio Cecere, Actor

Gail Chin, Photographer

Gale Zoe Garnett, Writer, Actor, Arts Activist

Geneviève Lajeunesse, Game Designer

Gilbert Gilbert, Musician

Gloria Ronalds, Art Teacher

H.L. Goyer, Artist

Haley Hunt-Brondwin, Visual Artist and Designer

Hannah Claire Epperson, Musician, Composer

Heather Birrell, Writer

Heather Grant, Bassist, Singer, Crossed Wires

Heather Rankin, Designer (retired)

Helen Hoy, Painter

Ila Crawford, Visual Artist

Isaac Vallentin, Designer, Musician

Jackie Dicaro, Painter

James Bunton, Musician

Jan Wade, Artist

Jane Eaton Hamilton, Author

Jane Simpson, Writer

Janice Brunson, Independent Music Professional

Jason Toal, Designer

Jennifer Claveau, Singer, Songwriter, Watercolourist

Jessica Stuart, Musician, The Jessica Stuart Few

Jim Riley, Video Artist

Joana Joachim, Museologist, Curator

Joe Sarahan, Carpenter, Artist

Jonathan Sweeting, Artist, Poet

Julia Mosher, Furniture Finisher

Julie Joosten, Writer

Julie Picken-Cooper, Arts Educator

Julie René de Cotret, Curator

Julija Sukys, Writer

Justine Warrington, Performer, Writer, Filmmaker

Kaitlin Milroy, Musician, Moonfruits

Karen Trask, Artist

Karen Walton, Screenwriter

Kat Cizek, Documentary Maker

Kat Lanteigne, Writer

Kate Hurman, Actor, Director, Writer, Teacher

Kate Inglis, Writer

Kate Lucyk, Artist

Katherine Dodds, Filmmaker, Writer, Creative Director, Hello Cool World

Kathleen Winter, Author

Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, Writer

Kathryn Lennon, Poet

Kathryn Mockler, Poet, Professor, Screenwriter

Kathryn Para, Writer

Katie Wright, Artist

Keith Higgins, Artist, Publisher

Kelly Carmichael, Graphic Artist

Kelly Daniels Director, Educator

Kennedy Douglas Telford, Artist, Designer

Kirby Rivest, Glass Artisan

Krisdy Shindler, Artist

Kristian Joseph Warburton, Film Student

Kyle Weber, Artist, Entrepreneur

Lana Pesch, Author, Producer

Lance Buan, Visual Artist

Lani Ashenhurst, Actor

Laura Smith, Musician

Laurel L. Russwurm, Author

Lauren B. Davis, Author

Lauren Ray, Photographer

Leigh Matthews, Author

Lesley Ewen, Director, Dramaturg, Playwright, Performer, Teacher

Linda Brine, Fibre Artist, String Fever Fibre Arts

Lindsay Brown, Writer, Designer

Lindsay Clayton Day, Writer, Teacher

Lisa Ireland, Artisan

Lori Montcalm, Jewelry Maker

Lori Waters, Scientific Illustrator, Animator

Lori Watt, Actor

Lynn Beavis, Art Gallery Worker

Lynn Bishop, Musician

Lynn Williams, Artist

M Dawn Lafleur, Graphic Artist, Actor

Madeline Bassnett, Writer

Maggie Tchir, Visual Artist

Marcia McInnis, Mixed Media Artist

Maria Elena Mesa-Mejia, Poet, Visual Artist

Maria Meindl, Writer

Marie Smith, Museum Assistant

Mark Bentley Cohen, Writer/Performer

Marney Morgan, Metalsmith

Marni Binder, Artist Educator

Marsha Kennedy, Professor, Visual Arts

Martin Kennedy, Artist

Mary Alice Downie, Writer

Mary Ellen Davis, Filmmaker

Mary Lou Dickinson, Writer

Matias Munoz, Music Writer, Ottawa Showbox

Matthew Gunkel, Musician

Maureen Lyons, Photographer

Megan-Magdalena Bourne, Photographer, Filmmaker, Musician

Melissa Rebronja, Singer, Songwriter

Mériol Lehmann, Photographer, Media Artist

Michael Anstead, Painter

Michael Cole, Musician

Michael Greenhow, Musician

Michael Harris, Author, Journalist

Michael Libling, Writer

Michèle Houle, Photo, Video

Mikela Jay, Singer, Actor, Narrator

Miles Evans-Branagh, Musician

Milton Lim, Theatre Director, Multidisciplinary Performer, Hong Kong Exile/Theatre Conspiracy

Molly Johnson, Dancer

Mona Germain, Poet, Teacher

Monica Prendergast, Actor, Writer, Poet

Nancy Hiron, Visual Artist, Painter

Naomi Binder Wall, Writer

Neeraj Padmanabh, Film Editor

Nick Roddam, Artist

Nicola Morry, Teacher

Nicole Yates, Musician

Noah Spivak, Visual Artist

Norberto Rodriguez, Visual Artist

Orin Bishop, Game Designer

Patricia McDonough, Custom Picture Framer

Patrick Farrugia, Musician

Patti Randazzo Beckett, Artist

Paul Cowling, Actor

Paul Walde, Artist, Professor

Paul Wilfred Herbert, Actor

Peter Kufluk, Actor

Peter Ricq, Filmmaker, Musician, Illustrator

Precious Chong, Actor

Rachael Cardiello, Musician

Rachel Jacobson, Director

Raymonde Savoie, Writer

Rebecca Northan, Actor, Director, Writer, Teacher

Rebecca Salazar, Poet, Editor

Rhonda Head, Musician, Songwriter, Writer

Risa Horowitz, Artist

Robbo Mills, Writer, Director

Robert Cameron, Musician, BESTiE

Robert Dayton, Artist

Robin Pacific, Visual Artist

Rodney Hanson, Architect

Rodrigo Hernandez-Gomez, Multidisciplinary Artist

Rona Altrows, Writer, Editor

Rosemary Carter, Graphic Designer

Samantha Reid, Writer

Samantha Soo, Filmmaker

Sandra Diaz, Visual Artist

Sandra Mannila, Artist, Writer, Arts Administrator

Sandra Nieuwenhuijsen, Art Director

Sarah Comfort, Artist

Sarah Dowling, Poet

Sarah Sawler, Writer

Sean Devlin, Comedian

Sean McQuillan, Actor

Seth Stuve, Audio Engineer, Musician

Shari Hatt, Visual Artist

Sharon King-Campbell, Theatre Artist

Shawn Jordan, Artist

Sheleah, Makeup Artist, SJB Makeup

Shelly Cassivi, Musician

Shlomit Segal, Graphic Designer

Siobhan Vipond, Stage and Film Technician

Sojin Kim, Independent Curator

Stephanie Belding, Actor

Stephanie Yates, Artist

Stephany Aiken, Artist, Philosopher

Steve Bays, Musician, Producer

Steven Foster, Musician

Steven Laurie, Visual Artist

Su J. Sokol, Writer

Su-Feh Lee, Choreographer, Battery Opera Performance

Sue Goldstein, Artist, Activist

Susan Applewhaite, Actor

Susan Kendal, Choreographer,Textile Artist

Susan Olding, Writer

Susan Swan, Author

Suzanne Dallaire, Visual Artist

Tamara Szymanska, Visual Artist

Tammy Gelfand, Writer, Artist

Tara Mahoney, Producer, Creative Director, Gen Why Media

Thad Rosenau, Visual Artist

Tony Marryatt, Musician

Trevor Thomas, Musician, Producer

Trisia Eddy, Writer, Printmaker, Photographer

Troy Nixey, Movie Director, Comic Book Creator

Tuula Helin, Writer

Vanessa Dandurand, Musician, The Ballantynes

Veronique Mallet, Musician

Victoria Ginsley, Poet

Wendy Davis, Photographer

William Tomlinson, Painter

Winn Bray-Rathbun, Writer

Zachary Gough, Artist

Zack Embree, Filmmaker, Photographer

Zainab Amadahy, Writer