National Post columnist John Ivison (not a supporter of war resisters) writes that Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy (and seconded by NDP MP Bill Siksay) have “introduced a private members’ bill (C-440) that seeks to amend the Immigration and Refugee Act, in order that people who want to avoid compulsory military service can stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds.”
“A well-orchestrated campaign, with public backing from left-wing peaceniks like Maude Barlow and Naomi Klein, has now built up around the issue. The War Resisters Support campaign highlights the plight of U.S. veterans like (Rodney) Watson, who served in Iraq for a year but refused a second deployment and now lives in Vancouver.”
“Small wonder that two-thirds of Canadians in an Angus Reid opinion poll agreed that war resisters like Mr. Watson should be allowed to stay in Canada.”
“Mr. Kennedy’s bill differs from the previous attempts to change government policy, in that they were non-binding motions, while his initiative is legislation that would amend an existing law and be binding on the government. Private members’ bills rarely pass… But Mr. Kennedy’s proposed legislation has a better chance than most.”
“It will be debated before Christmas and, if it makes it to a vote, is likely to receive the backing of all the opposition parties. The Conservatives are steadfast in their opposition to the bill…”
The War Resisters Support Campaign backs this bill and encourages you to take action to support it. More on that at http://www.resisters.ca/index_en.html.
Mr. Ivison’s op-ed is at http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/10/01/john-ivison-liberals-want-open-door-for-foreign-deserters.aspx.
