"There is nothing more foreign to a civilised and democratic system than preventive detention"

This quote by Robert Bourassa speaks with the value of civil liberties and democracy in a society. He is stating that preventive detention, which is the practice of apprehending someone without charge or trial, is totally incompatible with a civilised and democratic system. This is because it goes against the essential principles of democracy, such as the right to a reasonable trial and the anticipation of innocence. Preventive detention also weakens the rule of law, as it allows the federal government to detain individuals with no legal validation. Additionally, it can be used to target specific groups of individuals, such as political dissidents, and can be utilized to suppress dissent. In conclusion, Robert Bourassa's quote highlights the value of civil liberties and democracy in a society, and the requirement to secure them from the hazard of preventive detention.