Supreme Court Decision on War Resister Appeal Sparks Canada Wide Mobilization

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1115-05.htm


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
12:20 PM


CONTACT: War Resisters Support Campaign
Lee Zaslofsky, [phone];
Michelle Robidoux, [phone]

Supreme Court Decision on War Resister Appeal Sparks Canada Wide Mobilization
Political Solution From Parliament is Now Top Priority For War Resisters Support Campaign


TORONTO - November 15 - In response to today's (Thursday Nov. 15) decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to not hear appeals from American Iraq-war resisters seeking refuge in Canada, the War Resisters Support Campaign will ramp up pressure for a political solution, calling for a provision from Parliament to allow resisters and their families to stay in Canada.

The War Resisters Support Campaign will hold a demonstration tonight at 5 p.m. at 330 University Avenue, Toronto to call on Parliament to do the right thing and allow resisters to stay in Canada.

Spokespersons will include

WHO: War Resisters Support Campaign and allies
WHAT: Demonstration to ramp up pressure on Parliament
WHEN: Thursday November 15 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: 330 University Avenue, Toronto (just north of Queen St. W., on the west side)

"We call on Parliament to take a stand by enacting a provision that would allow US war resisters and their families to stay in Canada," said actor and activist Shirley Douglas. "The Supreme Court has handed the issue back to Parliament. It is urgent that Parliament demonstrate leadership and act in accordance with Canadian tradition. Do not let the principles that Canadians cherish slip away."

The Supreme Court decision by a panel of three judges prevents the full court from reviewing the decisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board regarding the refugee status of resisters Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey. The Immigration and Refugee Board had refused to grant them refugee status.

Resisters have already found widespread support among Canadians, including faith groups, unions, peace organizations and thousands of individuals and families who have extended a welcome. In a June 2007 poll by Strategic Communications, 64.6 per cent of respondents in Ontario think that resisters should be allowed to stay in Canada (margin of error +/- 4%, 19 times out of 20).

The War Resisters Support Campaign has been assisting US war resisters who come to Canada because of their opposition to the Iraq War since 2004.

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[Richard Steele]

1. K&R

[Selatius]

2. Is the current parliament controlled by right wingers? n/t

[babylonsister]

3. I hope a Canadian weighs in because I don't know. Here's a

thread about what happened earlier today:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2285994&mesg_id=2285994

[Selatius]

4. Hmm, the Conservatives hold the most seats in Canadian Parliament currently with 126 seats.

The Liberal Party holds 95, Bloc Quebecois 49, and the New Democratic Party only 30.

[Doctor Cynic]

5. In theory, no. In practice, no one knows.

Theoretically, the opposition has enough combined votes to force the government to do anything, since the Conservatives have less than half of the seats. Last year they succeeded in making the government acknowledge that global warming must be addressed. But in practice, the Liberals have come out of a period of infighting and so they are ill-prepared to face off with the government. If someone introduces such a law it probably would pass, but that depends whether it gets stuck in the committees.