It may have taken years, but Premier Kathleen Wynne isn't dwelling on the time it took to repeal a controversial Second World War-era security law.

“In terms of the legislative process and the length of time things take, the fact is that it got done,” said Wynne at a Thursday media availability. “The changes have been made and the lessons have been learned from that process.”

Last October, the Liberal government introduced Bill 35, the Security for Courts, Electricity Generating Facilities and Nuclear Facilities Act. The bill was intended to replace the Public Works Protection Act, passed in 1939.

The PWPA was notoriously invoked for the 2010 G20 summit in Toronto, allowing police to use controversial crowd-control measures.

After similar bills had been introduced twice before, and died on the order paper, Bill 35 was finally passed in December 2014. It came into effect on Wednesday, officially repealing the Public Works Protection Act.

A review of the PWPA, completed by former judge Roy McMurtry in April 2011, said its “vagueness” allowed it to be used when it was arguably not necessary.

“The time for the PWPA seems to have passed,” wrote McMurtry.

Asked again about the delay in repealing the PWPA, Wynne was again short.

“We made a commitment, we made the change that needed to be made and it’s done now. That’s as it should be,” said the premier.

Bill 35 gives security guards the right to ID anyone wanting into a restricted area of a nuclear power facility, and to search the person and their vehicle without a warrant. Security can refuse a person entry into a restricted facility as well. The law also applies to courthouses.

The government says it was open and transparent with Ontarians in presenting and implementing Bill 35.

“Bill 35 is a focused piece of legislation that simply replaces the outdated Public Works Protection Act, to focus on maintaining the existing framework for security at courthouses, nuclear facilities and large electricity generating facilities, providing no new powers to police or security officers,” said Lauren Callighen, press secretary for Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi in an email. “It is based on recommendations made by former Chief Justice Hon. Roy McMurtry and feedback we received from civil liberty groups, energy providers, and community safety partners and strikes the right balance in ensuring that people’s individual rights, their access to courts and public safety is protected.”

‘It got done’ – Wynne blunt on repealing controversial public works protection law

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