Related: Chatham to protest C-51

The Canadian Press

MONTREAL - Demonstrators will gather across Canada today to protest the government’s proposed anti-terrorism legislation.

Organizers say demonstrations will take place in dozens of cities in Canada, from Victoria to Halifax in an event they have dubbed “Defend our Freedom.”

They call the government’s bill dangerous, reckless and unacceptable.

The Conservative government introduced legislation, known as Bill C-51, in January.

It says the it will make Canadians safer.

The wide-ranging bill would give police much broader powers and allow them to detain terror suspects and give new powers to Canada’s spy agency.

Critics say the bill, if enacted as law, will infringe upon Canadians’ civil liberties and right to privacy, especially online.