Four senior federal ministers made a last-minute pitch yesterday to preserve sweeping anti-terrorism legislation brought in following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. Led by Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan, they dismissed many concerns expressed in 43 public hearings of a special Senate committee that has been reviewing the Anti-Terrorism Act over the past nine months.Defending the country's record on a gamut of controversial issues -- from allegations of racial profiling to problems with the listing of terrorist entities -- Ms. McLellan told senators the act remains a "vital cornerstone" that strikes the right balance between security and human rights.

She served notice the government won't repeal the legislation, nor will it take advantage of a sunset clause to scrap the most powerful provisions.

In a submission to the committee yesterday, Ms. McLellan and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler warned that Canada "cannot doubt for a moment the determination of terrorists."

"The threat is real," they wrote.

The full court press by Ms. McLellan, Mr. Cotler, Immigration Minister Joe Volpe and Transport Minister Jean Lapierre came on the last day of major hearings before senators huddle to prepare a list of recommendations for the government.

According to more than 100 witnesses who have appeared thus far, the problem areas are many.

Some have questioned whether the act is even necessary, suggesting offences are adequately addressed under the Criminal Code.

Others have slammed its definition of a terrorist offence -- which requires harmful activities be tied to a "political, religious or ideological" motive -- as intended to target specific ethnic communities across the country.

Ms. McLellan called a report in the Citizen yesterday suggesting the government is considering introducing security-cleared legal watchdogs into closed security certificate hearings to review evidence "false," but left the door open to senators to include the measure in their recommendations.

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