Accused terrorist Adil Charkaoui held a press conference with opposition MPs on Wednesday, calling on the public safety minister to stop the use of security certificates and clear his name.
"I didn't get justice, and if Mr. Stockwell Day refuses to review my case, it will be done by the Supreme Court of Canada," Charkaoui told reporters.
"As for my reputation, and the reputation of my family, I want to clear my name to show to all Canadians, to Quebecers, that I am not a terrorist. It was an injustice in my case."
Officials arrested Charkaoui in Montreal almost four years ago, accusing him of being an al-Qaeda sleeper agent.
He spent the following two years in jail based on the accusations of convicted terrorist Ahmed Ressam, who claimed he met Charkaoui at a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.
However, last week Ressam withdrew that claim in a letter sent to Le Journal de Montreal.
Writing in Arabic, Ressam said he was under a great deal of stress after his conviction and his accusations against Charkaoui must not be taken seriously.
Although Charkaoui was freed on bail two years ago, he remains under strict conditions as his case proceeds.
Security certificates are only issued to non-citizens considered a threat to the country's security, but they allow the government to withhold sensitive information from the public.
Charkaoui is a landed immigrant from Morocco.
Critics say the certificates oppose an individual's Charter rights, by denying them a fair trial and only giving them a summary of the government's case against them.
Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi, vice-chairman of the Commons citizenship and immigration committee, said the certificates are a flawed practice -- although his own party used one against Charkaoui.
"This is not the kind of country we want Canada to become," he said.
The public safety office has said evidence against Charkaoui comes from "many sources," and that a judge will decide the matter.
"Our position remains the same," Day's spokesperson, Melisa Leclerc, told The Canadian Press in an emailed response.
"The information the government has submitted to the court in the case against Mr. Charkaoui comes from many sources. As this matter is presently being adjudicated by a judge, it would be inappropriate to comment on the evidence.
"The government of Canada has reasonable grounds to believe that individuals subject to security certificates pose a risk to national security."
With files from The Canadian Press
