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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Jason Kenney responds to incitement of hatred and violence at recent anti-Israel protests
Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today issued a statement regarding displays of hatred and violence at recent protests across Canada organized to condemn Israel's attacks on Gaza:
“Like many Canadians, I am deeply concerned about allegations of the incitement to hatred and violence at recent protests across Canada.”
“It is shocking to think that flags of banned terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah are being flown in the streets of Canadian cities. The ideals these terrorist organizations preach are abhorrent to the fundamental values of the Canadian people and of all civilized peoples: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
“The open incitement of hatred has absolutely no place in Canadian society. We offer our condolences to all innocent victims of armed conflict and to those affected by repeated acts of terror. We remain vigilant in upholding fundamental Canadian values.”
The Western Standard reported on December 2, 2008 that the Government of Canada continues to list Hezbollah and Hamas as banned terrorist organizations under the provisions of Canada’s Criminal Code. While membership in these organizations is not a crime by itself, it is a crime to engage in any activity that might enhance the ability of these organizations to carry out a terrorist act. In fact, when the Sri Lankan-based Tamil Tigers made the list in 2006, the Liberals had to stop showing up at their fundraising galas in Canada.
You can find the complete list here.
Posted by Matthew Johnston
Posted by westernstandard on January 15, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
That's a start. Now let's see if it filters down to law enforcement.
Do you think immigration will ever reflect the will of the majority of Canadians? You have two groups that are pushing for an open door policy. The extreme left, whose numbers include many of the radical immigrants, and the extreme right, whose numbers include corporations looking for cheap labour. Both of these groups don't seem to understand they are commiting suicide, and taking the middle class down with them.
Posted by: dp | 2009-01-15 11:26:25 AM
The day I can stop pointing out that Hamas is democratically elected in the government of Palestine will be a happy day for me.
If we are the sort of people who preach democracy, it should not be at all surprising to us that groups enjoying some measure of popular support have their flags flown.
There will not be peace so long as groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are popular, and the fact that they are needs to be dealt with. The way to tackle the fact that such detestable groups ARE popular, though, is not to ignore it or to suggest that democracy (which has endorsed them) is a value that should persuade anyone to withdraw support for them.
Posted by: Janet | 2009-01-15 11:43:38 AM
The problem, DP, is that Canada's federal institutions are top-heavy with relics from Québec's Quiet Revolution. The common phrase "the Sixties are over" isn't quite true in la belle province. The fact that government work in Canada is quite lucrative compared to the States, giving good job security for thousands of people who would barely qualify for typing pool in a large corporation, is another factor.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-01-15 11:51:52 AM
dp, very well stated and I agree. Indeed it is a first and excellent sign, but we need to see what measures the government intends to take. First of all to stop the flow of such people into Canada, second to deal effectively with the associations and organisations that give the marching orders to these mobs, third to deport those who should not be here in the first place, and fourth to ensure that the rule of law applies and is enforced. We cannot afford to tolerate such barbarism on Canadian soil.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-01-15 11:53:01 AM
hummm..Kahane Chai (KACH)= Yes and along with all the others on the list = no tax free charity status and OUT.
But what about the Jewish Defense Leaque (JDL) - listed as a "terrorist organization" by the FBI as few years back and now re-established in Toronto.
Independant Jewish voices raised the concern over at BCL and...
The CJC refuses to comment?
As we speak though, all "action" groups such as the ARA, the Aryan Nations, Hell's Angels, the JDL and so on need to be put out of business as related to a criminal organization or one likely to be indicted by a war crimes tribunal?
Let them speak but let their executive and members be exposed by "Buckets" and BCL.
Posted by: The LS from SK | 2009-01-15 12:07:05 PM
Well Janet, Hitler was also elected and was extremely popular within Germany. While Castro was not elected, he was also extremely popular - for a while at least. The fact that people choose to vote for evil does not mean we must accept their decision. As for the topic of democracy, it in itself does not solve all problems. It can only work in a society that already has adopted the groundwork required, such as the concept of freedom, respect for others and the rule of law.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-01-15 12:08:10 PM
flying a flag is not a crime. you cant hide under protectionism and take peoples freedoms away. you are not a criminal until you have a victim. i dont know how many people have died because of flag raising.
Posted by: 419 | 2009-01-15 12:40:21 PM
Thank you Alain! Well put. Not like Janet or her ilk will pay attention to your words. It just doesn't fit her 'world view'.
The election of Hamas to govern the Palestinian territories is probably the best example of how democracy can go wrong in the absence of a civil society infrastructure.
Hamas will only accept a one-state solution; prior to gaining power, it was a terrorist organization explicitly focused on destroying Israel.
Hamas is now a violent extremist political party that is still focused on destroying Israel. A two-state solution is, naturally, incompatible with such a goal.
Posted by: Mark | 2009-01-15 3:39:07 PM
How times have changed. 419 says that plying a flag is not a crime. At first glance this would appear to be true, but just imagine if during WW II there had been mobs here acting in the same manner while flying the flag of Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. There is no difference to-day other too many people with muddled thinking. These same fervent Muslims (Hamas, Hezbollah, Taliban etc. are the same enemy using different names) declared war on us, yes all of us, and we have brave soldiers dying from the same.
Does this mean we are at war with all Muslims? Of course not. We are however very much at war with those who seek to destroy us and Western civilisation in order to impose Islam.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-01-15 6:38:33 PM
Alain.
:with those who seek to destroy us and Western civilisation in :
Our western civilization is being destroyed by immigration policies, low western birth rates and the firm belief that in Canada there is no requirement to become "Canadian ". Bring your political baggage with you and live like you did in the old country. We bend over backwards to accomodate all incompatable lifestyles, something most other countries do not.The ones that do are in trouble. If you asked most Canadians what it means to "be Canadian" you would probably get blank looks and some head scratching.Our ethnic majority is shrinking fast. Time will tell what that leads to.
Posted by: peterj | 2009-01-15 9:53:08 PM
I like Jason's sentiments, but perhaps he should recognize it is fine for him to comment on these Moslem organizations, but if I did, I could be hauled before the CHRC. Kenney, tell Harper to shape out of you are leaving his party!
Posted by: Faramir | 2009-01-16 12:30:20 AM
we must cease fighting and war worldwide...EVERYONE around the world should just stop going to work and stand united outside in their cities and declare peace...the social structures would fall and WE CAN TAKE BACK OUR POWER...war is all about money and power for the greedy people in government...LOVE is the only thing that can win agains that type of evil....WE ALL COME FROM LOVE and LOVE IS WHAT MAKES UP THIS UNIVERSE and so love can conquer all things
peace!
Posted by: RC | 2009-02-06 1:11:15 PM
LOVE is the only thing that can help against these type of situation...we as a race have to stand united and stop with the illusions of race, class, gender, etc which only divides us...instead of seeing the differences within ppl why don't we see the similarities...we are more similar than we are different..we must stand up against corporations and governments that are corrupt and evil....remember WE ALL COME FROM LOVE AND LOVE IS WHAT MAKES UP THIS UNIVERSE so LOVE is what can guide us to peace and tranquility for all of us...
peace!!!
Posted by: RC | 2009-02-06 1:16:15 PM
Actually, Janet, the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah attack Israel because it is politically advantageous for them to do so, or so they believe. However, cracks are showing in their armour. The war in Lebanon damaged Hezbollah's reputation, and the war in Gaza damaged Hamas's. Both organizations were the instigators in those respective conflicts. But the Lebanese and Gazans are finally beginning to wonder if the constant bloodshed, which favours Israel by about 20:1, is really getting them anywhere.
Militant groups will always be popular with SOME Canadians, just as Che Guevara was (and still is) popular with SOME Canadians. You will always find rebels and firebrands, particularly in a free society where there is no penalty for being such. Soon enough, though, people will tire of all the violence and Hezbollah and Hamas will go the way of the IRA.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-02-06 2:19:00 PM
"...war is all about money and power for the greedy people in government..."
I'm feeling the love, RC.
Posted by: Matthew Johnston | 2009-02-06 2:34:04 PM
Open letter to the Prime Minister to Stop his cabinet minister of Hate against Canadians
Re: The Conservative Party’s unfulfilled commitments to provide the proper mandate to administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons ( The Code) and the Conflict of Interest Act ( The Act).
We are writing to you as the largest non government organization (NGO) – not for profit corporation Lobbying, Journalism, Advocacy and Immigration Practitioners organization who share the Conservative Party’s stated belief in the ideals of transparent government, an informed electorate, and enhanced government accountability for all Canadians.
As we are concerned that your government’s cabinet minister the Hon. Minister Jason Kenney’s latest actions since he assumed power on October 30, 2008 for the position was appointed Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism have not matched the commitments you made as leader of the Conservative Party during the 2006 election campaign – specifically, your commitment to open up the inner workings of government to scrutiny by reforming Canada’s Accountability Act.
Due to many speeches, Statements, and visits he made or attended on behalf of the Government, Now there could be no better time to ask why the Accountability Act does not apply to your Cabinet Minister’s actions and certainly so far this Act was not fulfilled during your first term of office, and whether or not your party intends to fulfill by having full and open transparency to allow all kind of investigations to all types of actions made by any Minister of your Cabinet.
The Conservative Party’s original intent was to include many reforms in the Accountability Act, and one of them was in particular given the mandate is to administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons ( The Code) and the Conflict of Interest Act ( The Act) .
Your government was elected on a platform of accountability and transparency.
We, along with many other Canadians concerned about openness and accountability in government, have been disappointed that to date your Cabinet Minister, the Hon. Jason Kenney have not followed through on his campaign promise to speak on behalf of all cultures, all Canadians, and respect all Canadians without Conflict of interest between his private interest and his public duties
Can you let us know before the end of this month what you intend to do in this regard, and specifically whether or not you will agree to fulfill your 2006 campaign promises on implementing the Accountability Act to all Canadians without exemptions to your Cabinet Ministers.
We believe this is an important issue, and we plan to share your response with the Canadian public to bring the Accountability Act to all.
Posted by: The Canadian Society of Immigration Practitioners | 2009-02-18 5:01:45 PM
The CSIP would do better to ensure the accountability of immigrants in order that they behave in a civilised manner, adhere to the laws and make every attempt to assimilate to Canadian culture.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-02-18 7:08:28 PM
What the hell is an immigration practitioner? In the southern US, I believe they're called "Coyotes".
So, immigrants bring wonderful gifts, do they? Well, I'd like to return mine. Did you keep the receipts?
Posted by: dp | 2009-02-18 7:14:08 PM
Typical lawyer double-talk. It really is amazing how many words some people take to say nothing.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-02-18 7:35:13 PM
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