Hackers took down government websites for hours Wednesday by increasing traffic to deny regular access. (Photo: Canadian Press)

Canada’s Treasury Board President Tony Clement said that within half an hour, several government websites, including the website of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), were affected by a denial of service attack. Service for the websites was restored.
The online hacker group Anonymous has claimed responsibility for the cyber attack. They said the attack is to protest the recent passing of the government’s anti-terror Bill C-51, which gives the CSIS more powers.