Saudi ambassador breaks silence

20 Pages·2016·1.82 MB·English

EXCLUSIVE POLITICAL COVERAGE: NEWS, FEATURES, AND ANALYSISS IINNSSIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
TRUMP PRESIDENCY? PARDY: LEITCH’S POLITICOS
SCARY AS HELL, TEAM EMBRACE
CANADA’S
CONSULAR POKÉMON GO,
PREDICTS DYER P. 9 P. 17
WAYHOME P. 2
CONUNDRUM P.12
TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 1358 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 $5.00
NEWS POLICY REVIEW NEWS Q&A NEWS FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Liberals’ defence Saudi ambassador MPs of all stripes
consultations offer decry Turkish
breaks silence
predictable results, government’s
questionable reaction to
failed coup
benefi ts, say critics
BY MARCO VIGLIOTTI BY CHELSEA NASH
Critics are accusing the Liberal In 2010, Turkish President (then prime
government of using ongoing public minister) Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at
consultations on defence policy to obscure Pearson International Airport in Toronto
dissenting opinions and selectively choose ahead of the G20 summit at around
responses that correspond with their views midnight, and was greeted by then-
on the fi le. minister of state for foreign affairs Peter
NDP defence critic Randall Garrison Kent, something Mr. Kent later recounted
(Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, B.C.) said he as a “nasty experience.”
fears the government is using this broad, Before the president’s cavalcade could
poorly-defi ned consultation process leave the airport for his downtown hotel,
to ensure the responses it receives are Mr. Kent, Conservative MP for Thornhill,
favourable to what it envisions for the Ont. was informed of a possible security
future of Canadian defence policy. threat that the RCMP was investigating.
“They know what they already want to The party was instructed to wait in a
do and [with the consultations] you can pick secure room at the airport until the RCMP
selectively from what you’ve heard across the gave the all-clear.
country if there isn’t any way to systemize the “For a short period of time, the
information,” he said in an interview. president accepted our hospitality in the
secure room at the airport, but then he
Continued on page 6 became impatient, and angry, and accused
me of trying to humiliate him and threw
quite a tantrum,” Mr. Kent, who is the
Conservative Party’s foreign affairs critic,
NEWS TRADE told The Hill Times.
Liberals’ expanded Continued on page 7
Colombia human
NEWS IMMIGRATION
rights report still
Yazidi genocide
‘If there is some disagreement, I think we can discuss and fi nd a solution for it,’ says Saudi
Ambassador Naif Bin Bandir AlSudairy of the criticism of the deal to sell Canadian-made armoured
falls short: Rights
vehicles to Saudi forces, in a July 20 interview at his embassy. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia moves onto
advocates
McCallum’s plate
Envoy defends arms sits down for interviews with Canadian
reporters, spoke exclusively with The Hill
BY PETER MAZEREEUW deal, says media Times July 20 to weigh in on his country’s
place in the headlines and his job, which he BY PETER MAZEREEUW
The Liberal government released its producing ‘misleading believes at least partly is to boost ties with
fi rst take on an annual report on hu- Canada and change “some of the wrong or The whirlwind parliamentary study of the
man rights in Colombia last week, which information.’ negative ideas about my country.” plight of Yazidis and other vulnerable groups
included an expanded section on human Saudi Arabia’s use of Islamic law, sharia, has fi nished, and the witnesses and committee
rights issues in the country but still fell “needs a kind of special arrangement, members are looking to Immigration Minister
short of the expectations of labour and hu- BY PETER MAZEREEUW different than other places,” said Naif Bin John McCallum to make the next move.
man rights advocates. Bandir Alsudairy, after responding to The emotional and often partisan study by
The report, which has been criticized Saudi Arabia’s top offi cial in Canada is concerns about the country’s justice system, the House Immigration Committee included
every year since it was fi rst released four defending his country’s human rights which allows for public beheadings and saw calls from survivors of the Yazidi genocide,
years ago for failing allegedly to seriously record and a controversial $15-billion sale blogger Raif Badawi sentenced in 2014 to 10 community advocates, and opposition MPs
examine any human rights concerns in Co- of Canadian-made armoured vehicles to years in jail and 1,000 lashes for insulting for the government to take special action to
lombia, was delivered to the House on an the Saudi Arabian National Guard, noting Islam (though, under Western political help persecuted Yazidis—a minority religious
adjournment tabling day on July 20, to the that despite “misleading information” in the pressure, he’s only received 50 lashes). The group targeted for genocide by ISIL (also
surprise of advocates accustomed to seeing media, he still believes the contract will ambassador acknowledged, though, that known as ISIS, Daesh, and Islamic State)—in
the report tabled in May. bring the two countries closer. “we always review.” Iraq and the surrounding territories.
After a couple years under fi re, Saudi
Continued on page 13 Arabia’s ambassador to Canada, who rarely Continued on page 3 Continued on page 4
2 THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
FEATURE BUZZ
Pakistan spreads sweetness with mango tasting

H H
EARD ON ILL
THE
B M V
Y ARCO IGLIOTTI
Canadian politicos try
Ripe mangoes imported from Pakistan for a special Pakistani High Commissioner Tariq Azim
their hands as Pokémon
tasting at the high commissioner’s residence on Khan with Saudi Ambassador Naif Bin Bandir
July 22. AlSudairy.
trainers, Trudeau
announces Canadian
olympic fl ag-bearer
Canadian politicians are Mr. AlSaudairy tries some of the mango
not immune to the spells of drink being offered. Cheers! Mr. Khan, left, toasts with his guests, Malaysian
smash mobile hit Pokemon High Commissioner Aminahtun Karim Shaharudin, second
Go. NDP MP Erin Weir poses from left, and her spouse, far right, A.G. Shaharudin, and
The Hill Times photographs
next to a Cubone in Regina’s Global Affairs Canada's Rosaline Kwan.
by Sam Garcia
Cathedral neighbourhood
(left), while Conservative MP
Michelle Rempel showcases
her in-game avatar (right).
Photographs courtesy of the Twitter
accounts of Erin Weir and Michelle
Rempel
Japanese Ambassador Kenjiro Monji, left, with Mr. Khan, Ms. Shaharudin, and Chinese Ambassador Luo
Pokémon Go, the augmented reality mo- When asked what her favourite character Zhaohui.
bile game based on the hugely popular was, Ms. Rempel mentioned she had captured
fantasy series, has become an international an Aerodactyl, one of the rarer Pokémon.
phenomenon since its release earlier this She also noted that numerous Pokémon Peru honours air force members
month, drawing millions of users, includ- were hanging around on Parliament Hill,
ing some Canadian politicians. proceeding to then capture one loiter-
In the game, players can capture, battle, ing next to the Centennial Flame.
and train fi ctional Pokémon creatures, Other MPs are also having fun “interact-
who appear on screens as if inhabiting ing” with the virtual arrivals.
real-world domains by using a device’s NDP MP Erin Weir (Regina-Lewvan,
camera and GPS functions. The game has Sask.) tweeted some photos of himself
won plaudits from some for encouraging greeting Pokémon that have cropped up
physical activity and interaction between in his riding. He posted a photo of himself
players, as users must physically travel posing next to a Cubone in a parking lot in General Carlos Chavez Cateriano, left, with
to obtain Pokémon or compete in virtual Regina’s Cathedral neighbourhood and an-
Colonel Jose Antonio Garcia Morgan, and his
competitions. other one showing him with a Diglett in
spouse, Diana León Vasquez, at the reception on Mr. Garcia with Peruvian Ambassador
But it has also become a source of front of his constituency offi ce.
July 22 to mark Air Force Day in Peru. Marcela López Bravo.
controversy. Critics worry about Pokémon Conservative MP and leadership candi-
being placed in high-risk or extremely date Tony Clement (Parry Sound-Muskoka,
sensitives areas, and are voicing concerns Ont.) can also be counted as a fan, posting a
that the game encourages trespassing on picture of himself attempting to catch a Bul- Second Annual Defence and Security Summer Social
private property. The RCMP released a basaur while attending the U.S. Republican
statement on its Twitter account warning Party convention this past week in Cleveland.
Pokémon Go players to be mindful of their Mr. Clement said he attended to repre-
surroundings and follow all laws. sent Canadian interests and in his capacity
“A Pokemon on private property is as deputy chairman of the International
NOT an invitation to enter. Respect others Democrat Union, a global alliance of
as you #CatchEmAll,” the agency wrote in centre-right political parties.
a post. Meanwhile, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson
As elsewhere, Pokémon fever appears was also recently spotted playing Pokémon
to have spread to the Hill, with some Ca- Go at downtown’s Confederation Park, Outgoing Korean Defence Attaché Colonel Jang
nadian politicos taking to social media CFRA News reported. Min Choi, Astrid Neuland, business development
to share their experiences capturing the One MP and potential party leader, executive of Thales Canada, and Angela Son, the André LaFrance, chief operations offi cer and co-
virtual denizens. though, jumped on the Pokémon bandwag- colonel’s spouse at the July 13 event. founder of the ALRM Group, greets Mr. Choi.
Chief among them, Conservative MP on in a more novel way.
Michelle Rempel (Calgary Nose Hill, Alta.), Conservative leadership hopeful Max-
who has been touting her skills as an ama- ime Bernier (Beauce, Que.) playfully tweet-
teur Pokémon trainer on Twitter. ed of photo himself studying the menu at a
In an interview with CTV News, up- restaurant on Ottawa’s Sparks Street with
loaded online on July 20, Ms. Rempel said the caption, “The legendary freedom Poké- Photographs
she had caught 75 “different species” of mon is at the Ottawa Bier Market today. courtesy of
Pokémon and was a Level 18 trainer —an Will you be able to catch him? #cdnpoli.”
Ulle Baum
impressive feat considering that the game The photo also mimicked the gameplay
was released on July 6 in the United States style of Pokémon Go.
and July 17 in Canada. (Some Canadian Paul Fortin, director of business development for Borden Ladner Gervais's Asia
players were able to access the game prior
Continued on page 19 Pacifi c Operations, raises a glass to celebrate the departing Korean couple.
to its offi cial release in the country.)
THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 3
NEWS Q&A
Saudi envoy defends arms deal, says
media producing ‘misleading information’
‘We still believe “I think this is not right. Saudi Saudi Arabia’s
Arabia is a member of the UN ambassador to
that this contract
Human Rights Council in Geneva. Canada, Naif
will bring the two When you get the membership Bin Bandir
in this very important council, it Alsudairy, says
countries closer,’ gives you an indication that the he expects
Saudi authorities are complying to welcome
says Saudi Arabia’s with a high standard of human the head of
ambassador, in a rights regulation. And Minister the Saudi
Dion, during his visit to Saudi Human Rights
rare interview. Arabia last month, invited the Commission to
president of the Saudi Human Canada next
Rights Commission, Dr. Bandar month.
Continued from page 1 bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, to visit The Hill Times
Canada in the near future. And of photograph by
The ambassador, who also course we will arrange a meeting Sam Garcia
leads the Ottawa Diplomatic with the media to explain how we
Association, said he expects to think about human rights.”
welcome the head of the Saudi
Human Rights Commission to During the time that this contro-
Canada next month to further versy in Canada over the arms
explain the country’s views. sale has gone on, how would you
The following interview has describe your conversations with
been edited for length and style. Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion?
“I think it’s very constructive. I
Why is Saudi Arabia an impor- always listen to him, and I always
tant ally for Canada? see him, and we continue our dia-
“Well, because we share the logue over how to improve and to
same values, and of course Saudi strengthen the relations between
Arabia and Canada want to see the Saudi Arabia and Canada. And I
world more safe and more stable.” really admire him.”
How do you think that close rela- The embassy had been planning
tions with Saudi Arabia is going a cultural festival to take place
to help Canada to create more in Ottawa this summer, but at the
stable world? last minute it was delayed. Why
“I think Canada is a very im- was it delayed?
portant partner to Saudi Arabia “Actually it was not delayed,
and the G20, [and] United Na- it was rescheduled, because we
tions. And Canada is very much thought that by rescheduling
involved in the region to bring we could prepare the event in
security and stability in the whole the right way. And we think that Saudi Arabia has been helping “Let me ask you a question: ister of Saudi Arabia, made a very
region: in Iraq, Syria, all places Canada is a very important coun- to fund private Islamic schools do you think that Canada in the clear statement two days ago: he
that are not stable. try, and if we want to do this kind in Canada for the past few years. future, or any other country, if they said we are very happy that they
“So we believe that Canada of event we want it to be some- Why are you doing that? have some kind of pressure from released these pages because this
can do a lot to help countries in thing to be proud of. And another “Saudi Arabia is helping, it’s abroad, they will change their judi- is proof that Saudi Arabia had
the region to bring peace and reason, also, we thought that 2017 part of the plan to help Muslim cial system? Do you accept that?” nothing to do with 9/11.
security and stability.” is going to be a very important people all over the world, not only “Even if 15 of these 19 people
year for Ottawa, because of the in Canada. I suppose it depends on who the who attacked in 9/11 are from
A lot of the discussion in Canada celebration of the 150th anniver- “If we want to make any partner was and why. Saudi Arabia, 15 people or 100, or
in relation to Saudi Arabia over sary of Confederation. This was a donation to any organization in “Same thing. Of course, we 200 people from a country of 30
the past year has had to do with recommendation by high offi cials Canada, we go and do it through always review. And I think this million...Every society has fanati-
the General Dynamics contract in the Ottawa mayor’s offi ce.” the Canadian authorities.” question, you can address directly cal, crazy people. We feel sorry,
to sell LAV armoured vehicles to to Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al- and we are very much concerned
Saudi authorities. What do you Do you see it as being part of What do you see as being the Aiban, the president of the Saudi that we don’t see more crazy peo-
want to say to people who criti- your job to improve the way regu- Saudi Embassy’s role when it Human Rights Commission when ple in any society, in Saudi Arabia
cize this deal and are concerned lar Canadians see Saudi Arabia, comes to interacting with Mus- he visits Canada, I think next or elsewhere. But this is human
that Saudi authorities could use the way they think about it? If so, lims in Canada? month.” nature, that you have people who
this equipment against civilians? how is it that you have been try- “They are our brothers, Mus- believe in violence. Muslim people,
“I think misleading informa- ing to do that? lim brothers. You remember the Do you see Saudi Arabia as be- the word of Islam means peace.
tion has been put in the media. “Of course, no one is perfect. event that we had for the Syrian coming a more liberalized coun- Saudi Arabia believes in peace,
“When we signed this contract, And our job is to work very hard refugees [where the Gulf Cooper- try in the future in general? and we believe that we should
we thought this will strengthen to improve the relations and to ation Council missions to Canada “Saudi Arabia has a different solve all our problems between
the relationship between Saudi change also some of the wrong or donated $31,000 to United Way perspective about liberal or not each other, between nations, by
Arabia and Canada, and it will negative ideas about my country Ottawa for its work resettling liberal. Saudi Arabia is based in peace. Not by violence or war.”
bring more co-operation. You and about Saudis in general. Syrian refugees]. Anything that Islamic sharia law. This needs a
know, more than 3,000 people “But at the same time, we have will bring happiness to people, kind of special arrangement, dif- What do you see as being your
are working on this contract in to understand that Saudi Arabia any kind of people. Of course ferent than other places. Always, biggest priority for the next year
London, Ont., and more than 100 is the heart of the Islamic world. Muslim and Arab people from our we need to see how the people, as ambassador here?
companies are doing some of the Mecca and Medina, the two holy region, we care about. We try to if they like the values, in any “My job here has two parts:
spare parts and manufacturing- mosques, are in Saudi Arabia. be involved, and to help.” country.” one part, to strengthen the rela-
related items. Muslim people all around the tions with our Canadian friends.
“Usually when people have world, over two billion Muslim A lot of the press in Canada There were some pages from a 9/11 The second part, to serve Saudi
more business, more work togeth- people, they are facing Mecca about Saudi Arabia concerns the report commissioned in the United citizens who live here in Canada,
er, they have more understanding. fi ves times every day for praying. Saudi justice system. The case of States that just recently were students, businessmen, and tour-
And they will be closer. So we still This gives you an indication of jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi made public. There are reports that ists. We work very hard, we have
believe that this contract will bring how important Saudi Arabia is, has been in the headlines a lot. those documents show that the a very big embassy, to reach out
the two countries closer. If there is regardless of oil. The restrictions on women and Saudi government was helping to with our Canadian friends, to im-
some disagreement, I think we can “We have over 30,000 students treatment of political dissidents fi nancially support mosques and prove the relations, to have more
discuss and fi nd a solution for it.” here in Canada, huge contracts are sore subjects in Canada. Do other institutions in the United in common. We exchange high
with Canadian companies like you expect that the Saudi govern- States that were spreading ideas of offi cial visits.
What about the criticism of Saudi General Dynamics, Manitoba ment will change the way that it Islamic radicalism. Do you believe “Next year, we will have a
Arabia’s human rights record, the Hydro, Bombardier, SNC Lavalin. goes about dealing with women, that that was the case? If so, is that GCC strategic dialogue meet-
fact that there have been reports Lately we just bought part of the dealing with political dissidents, still an issue? ing here in Canada, hopefully
that equipment made in Canada Canadian Wheat Board. But put the way it’s handing the Raif “Nothing in those pages is in Ottawa, between the six GCC
and other Western countries has this all to the side, and see how Badawi case? Or do you expect against Saudi Arabia. I saw them. ministers and Minister Dion.”
been used to perpetrate violence important Saudi Arabia is for the that it’s going to continue on the You know Mr. Adel bin Ahmed [email protected]
against civilians? Islamic world.” path that it has been? Al-Jubeir, the foreign affairs min- @PJMazereeuw
4 THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
NEWS IMMIGRATION
Yazidi genocide moves onto McCallum’s plate
What happened and
over six years.
what comes next Mr. McCallum told Bloomberg
last week that his government
after the heated was having trouble bringing in
refugees fast enough to meet
summer study on
the demand of Canadians who
vulnerable people wish to privately sponsor their
resettlement. However, there was
wraps up. concern among the leaders of
some of Canada’s largest cit-
ies that they would not have the
Continued from page 1 resources to deal with the large
infl ux of Syrian refugees as the
The Liberal-majority Immigra- government hit the stride of its
tion Committee asked Mr. McCal- mass resettlement effort earlier
lum (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) to this year.
“accelerate” asylum applications The government faces a more
by Yazidis fl eeing the violence, technical barrier to the resettle-
and to “create and implement ment of Yazidis and other per-
special measures to facilitate secuted groups. Many of those
Canada’s response” in a letter people are living in camps or
sent through Liberal MP Borys other places of temporary refuge
Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre, within the borders of their home
Ont.), the committee chair. country. Under the wording of
“We’re asking the government the 1951 UN Refugee Conven-
to use existing tools that are avail- tion, upon which Canadian law
able in order to fulfi ll what the is based, those people are not
United Nations has called for” for considered to be refugees as they
the Yazidi population, said Liberal have not left their country.
MP Peter Fragiskatos (London Canada currently relies upon
North Centre, Ont.), who tempo- the United Nations High Com-
rarily replaced Liberal MP Shaun missioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
Chen (Scarborough North, Ont.) on the UN’s refugee agency, to help
the committee during the study. it select refugees for resettle-
Conservative MP Michelle ment, and that agency does not
Rempel (Calgary Nose Hill, Alta.), have the mandate to deal with
a committee member and her internally displaced people, David
party’s immigration critic, sent Manicom, the associate assistant Immigration Minister John McCallum and his cabinet colleagues are under pressure to repeat the government’s
her own letter to Mr. McCallum deputy minister for Immigra- headline-grabbing Syrian refugee resettlement initiative for other persecuted groups, particularly Yazidis from northern
calling for the government to tion, Refugees, and Citizenship Iraq. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
once again exempt Syrian and Canada, told the committee.
Iraqi refugees from an annual cap Canada and the international
on privately-sponsored refugees community should look at re- cal problems making use of the tracking the ethnic, religious, and Tracking the success of reset-
coming into Canada, and to opening the UN Refugee Conven- program, said Mr. Manicom. sexual orientation of refugees tling people persecuted for reli-
examine using a special sec- tion to address that issue, said Mr. Controversy erupted each time a resettled in Canada, in order for gious beliefs, ethnic origin, or sexu-
tion of the federal Immigration Fragiskatos. country was added to or removed the government to be able to gauge al orientation is more diffi cult than
and Refugee Protection Act to However, Mr. Manicom said to the list of “source countries” in how many members of those it may seem, Mr. Manicom told the
bring asylum-seekers to Canada doing so would be too risky, as which people were being perse- vulnerable groups were being committee. People may fall into
quicker. some signatories to the conven- cuted, and the governments of recommended by the UNHCR and several categories for which they
NDP MP Jenny Kwan (Van- tion wish to narrow, not expand, those countries would not always successfully resettled in Canada. could be persecuted, and tracking
couver East, B.C.), a committee their responsibility to refugees co-operate with Canadian efforts The previous Conservative all of those categories would not
member and her party’s im- under that convention. to help resettle people after their government had, for a period of a always paint an accurate picture
migration critic, sent her own To bring in internally displaced country had been added to the few months last year, ordered the of why a person was resettled, he
letter to Mr. McCallum. Both Ms. people from hard-to-reach areas, list, he said. IRCC to do just that, Mr. Manicom said, using as an example a person
Kwan and Ms. Rempel called on the government may have to follow told the committee. However, there who was gay but being persecuted
the minister to use that special in the footsteps of Germany, which Section 25 was no automated way to do so, for political expression.
provision in the Immigration and resettled more than a 1,000 per- Canada’s government should and Canadian offi cials had to track Comprehensive tracking of all
Refugee Protection Act, section secuted Yazidis following the ISIL use section 25 of the Immigra- those fi gures using written case possible causes for persecution
25, to immediately resettle vulner- attack in 2014 by working with tion and Refugee Protection Act notes. The department ceased to would also require more resourc-
able people to Canada, and to third-party humanitarian groups to bring over thousands of the do so when the new government es, Mr. Manicom said.
begin tracking refugees by ethnic- instead, Mr. Manicom said. most vulnerable or traumatized began its major effort to resettle [email protected]
ity, religion, and sexual orienta- Government offi cials are plan- internally displaced Yazidi people Syrian refugees, he said. @PJMazereeuw
tion, so as to show how successful ning a fact-fi nding mission to immediately, said Ms. Rempel, Ms.
the government is at bringing in Erbil in northern Iraq for the fall, Kwan, and some of the committee THE WEEK AHEAD: ELECTORAL
those under the greatest threat. he said. witnesses, including Nadia Murad,
Mr. McCallum declined to Ms. Rempel and some of the a Yazidi woman who escaped from REFORM COMMITTEE MEETS
be interviewed on the subject witnesses before the committee ISIL captivity and has toured the
through spokesperson Félix Cor- urged the government to allow world alerting political leaders to
riveau, who wrote in an emailed third-party groups to recommend the genocide facing her people.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
statement that “the minister’s vulnerable people for resettle- Section 25 allows the federal (cid:129) The House Special Committee on Electoral Reform will
schedule will not allow him to ment in areas where Canada is immigration minister to provide a have its 10th meeting on this topic from 9:30 a.m.
answer your questions.” not able to process applications. shortcut to permanent residency for to 12 p.m. in Centre Block, Room 237-C. It will hear
The committee will issue a Murad Ismael, an executive people in special cases where he or from Henry Milner, a senior researcher and chair in
formal report to the minister once with the Yazidi advocacy group she judges that “humanitarian and electoral studies at the Université de Montréal; Alex
Himelfarb, former clerk of the Privy Council, 2002-
Parliament resumes in the fall. Yazda, criticized the UNHCR for compassionate grounds” warrants it. 2006; and André Blais, political science professor
what he said was discrimination The government would be at the Université de Montréal. This meeting will be
UN refugee agency, UN against Yazidis who had made legally able to use Section 25 to televised.
convention under fi re it to the refugee camps by local resettle persecuted Yazidis from (cid:129) The House Special Committee on Electoral Reform
The Liberal government faces Muslim UNHCR employees. the Middle East, Mr. Manicom will meet again from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Centre Block,
numerous obstacles to the type The UNHCR did not respond told the committee, adding that Room 237-C (to be televised). It will hear from
of quick, large-scale action urged to that allegation when reached did not necessarily mean the the Institute for Research on Public Policy research Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam
director Leslie Seidle; University of Toronto professor
by the committee members and by The Hill Times. government would or would not emeritus Larry LeDuc; and Université du Québec à Monsef, right, appearing before the
advocates for persecuted minority In years past, the government logistically be able to do so. Montréal dean of the Faculty of Political Science and House Special Electoral Reform Commit-
groups in the Middle East, South could bring internally displaced Section 25 has been used Law Hugo Cyr. tee July 6. This week the committee is
Sudan, Myanmar, and elsewhere. people who did not qualify as almost exclusively by the govern- hearing from several academics. The Hill
For one, it has already run up refugees to Canada using a pro- ment in the past to give perma- THURSDAY, JULY 28 Times photograph by Jake Wright
a signifi cant bill during a defi cit gram called the Source Country nent resident status to people (cid:129) The House Special Committee on Electoral Reform
year for its ongoing admission Class of Humanitarian-protected already in Canada who would will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Centre Block, (cid:129) The House Government Operations and Estimates
and resettlement of 25,000 gov- Persons Abroad. otherwise be forced to leave the Room 237-C (to be televised). It will hear from York Committee will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. in Centre Block,
University associate professor of political science Room 253-D (to be televised), for an emergency
ernment-assisted Syrian refugees, However, that program was country, Mr. Manicom said. Dennis Pilon; Queen’s University associate professor meeting to discuss the situation surrounding the
and has committed nearly $1 repealed after the government Ms. Rempel and Ms. Kwan also of political studies Jonathan Rose; and the president Phoenix Payroll System. Witnesses, likely to include
billion to support those refugees ran into political and logisti- called on the government to begin of the Institute on Governance Maryantonett Flumian. departmental offi cials, are to be confi rmed.
THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 5
NEWS Q&A
Nadia Murad, voice of a genocide Canadian government, the United
Nations, all of them have come
out with a statement saying that
what happened was a genocide
against my people.”
‘As long as the Nadia Murad, What can a country as far away
centre, urges as Canada do to help the Yazidi
justice is not Canada’s people who are still in northern
government Iraq?
established,
to do more to “We would like Canada to,
especially for the help Yazidis just as they received the [Syrian]
suffering in refugees, to receive also Yazidi
women and girls, camps for refugees. Especially the victims,
refugees and the direct victims: women,
I will continue
internally orphans, widows. All those who
doing this,’ says this displaced became enslaved. We would like
people in them to give a quota, or to bring
Yazidi woman who the Middle a number of these people in. We
East during a also would like Canada to play a
told MPs how she July 19 press role in recognizing the genocide
endured rape and conference and accountability, in the Inter-
with national Criminal Court. We also
abuse at the hands Conservative would like Canada to help with
immigration humanitarian aid.”
of ISIL in Iraq. critic Michelle
Rempel, left. How did you fi rst come into con-
BY PETER MAZEREEUW The Hill Times tact with Conservative immigra-
photograph by tion critic Michelle Rempel, with
“Ic annot stop.” Sam Garcia whom you held the press confer-
Nadia Murad looks tired, ence in Ottawa on Tuesday?
sitting across the table with her “It happened about a month
co-campaigner and translator, ago with [Conservative leader]
Murad Ismael. Rona Ambrose, I was introduced
The Nobel Peace Prize nomi- with her team in New York. We
nee is about 20 minutes into a were invited to come and speak
July 21 interview at The Hill when the resolution, the recogni-
Times offi ce in Ottawa, another tion of the genocide was debated
stop on her world tour of media by the Canadian Parliament.”
outlets, national legislatures, and Murad Ismael: “Nadia and I
high political offi ces. were supposed to come here for
Two days before, Ms. Mu- that debate, and we applied for
rad, who is in her early 20s, sat Nadia’s visa. It took longer; we
before the House Immigration to tell your story. How did you when I was at the camp. Every in my speech. Because I wanted couldn’t come. But then this in-
Committee and told yet another decide to do this? time a newspaper or anyone ap- to say everything that happened. vitation came...and Michelle, she
room full of strangers about the “When I was rescued from the proached, I would tell them about I wanted them to know what was also offered to do a press confer-
day armed members of ISIL (the enslavement under Daesh, there what happened. I really wanted to happening.” ence after we came here. But our
militant group calling itself the was no way for me to go and tell the story to all the countries, fi rst contact in Canada was Ms.
Islamic State, and also known testify and talk about this. but especially I wanted to tell Does it get any easier telling the Rona Ambrose.”
as ISIS and Daesh) came to her “Then when I was at the camp, the Muslim world, and the Arab story of the terrible things that
village in northern Iraq, gathered they came and said this program world about this, because ISIS happened to you and your family What do you think will happen
the residents together, executed had been set up by the German was telling us that they were com- the more often that you do it? to the Yazidi people if the world
the men—including six of her government, and they were trying mitting these crimes in the name “When I remember their faces, doesn’t take more action?
brothers—and assigned the young to take 1,000 Yazidi women and of Islam. So I wanted to know when they were committing “For us, for the Yazidis, what
women, including herself, into girls to Germany, and whoever from the Muslims themselves, crimes against us; when I remem- we see and what we feel is that
sexual slavery. She watched their was interested could go and regis- whether Daesh was a Muslim ber, not just raping us, but also days from now, there will be the
faces as Mr. Ismael translated the ter for that program. group or was not. insulting us and laughing at us as second anniversary of the Yazidi
details of her rapes and beatings “We were three sisters, and my “I came to the U.S. in Decem- they were doing it;...when I talk, I genocide. We still have 3,200
over several months of captivity brother told us, ‘It is very diffi cult ber 2015. And then in December imagine these crimes. women and children in captivity.
in 2014 before she managed to to take care of all of you, I would 2015 I met with Murad for the “In a way, I feel happy expos- “They have not been helped.
escape her captors. like some of you to go. And once fi rst time. I told my story, and ing these crimes and telling the There has been no operation to
In The Hill Times offi ce, the our conditions are better, you can then based on what I told him, he world what happened. But at rescue them.
soft-spoken Ms. Murad, who is come back.’ wrote my speech and the next day the same time, continuing to tell “For the liberated areas of
being tailed by a documentary “In September, I came to I presented before the Security the story while things don’t get Sinjar, 35 mass graves have been
fi lm crew, is measured and un- Germany, and was resettled in Council. changed, it’s very painful. It’s found. They have not even been
fl inching as she describes the mo- Heilbronn with my sister and nine “It was a surprise that my tes- very painful to talk about the documented or investigated.
tivation that has taken her around other Yazidi families. timony was well received. It was girls in captivity, especially. And There has been only some yellow
the world in the past eight months “I felt homesick, and I felt very not like what I did in Geneva. This nobody has attempted to rescue tape around it.
with Mr. Ismael and Yazda, an unhappy being in Germany at testimony at the Security Coun- them yet.” “About 40 Yazidi temples
advocacy group for Yazidis, who fi rst, and I told my brother that cil reached many places, and it were destroyed. And those who
were targeted by ISIL for what I wished to go back. My brother received a lot of media atten- Have there been any times during survived, those who escaped from
the UN and Canada’s government told me that it was better that I tion and international attention. your travels when you’ve had captivity, the orphans, the widows
have called a genocide. stayed there to receive [medical] After the testimony, I met with doubts, or thought you wanted to who lost their husbands, there
Yazidis are a Kurdish minority treatment, and then come back. the foreign minister of the U.S. be fi nished with it and return to has been no help offered to them.
group who practice an ancient re- “It was about the end of Octo- [John Kerry], I met with [White Germany or somewhere else to “There are epidemics and
ligion that shares many elements ber when they allowed me to go House National Security Adviser] call home? diseases, in thousands of cases,
with Christianity and Islam, but to school. And then in November Susan Rice at the White House. “No. along the Yazidi camps. I would
they are regarded as “infi dels” by a Yazidi activist approached me And then many more meetings “I cannot stop, because even say that up to two-thirds of the Ya-
the Islamist militants in Iraq. and asked me if I was willing to became available.” if I stop, these crimes will not be zidi population is going through
Ms. Murad has testifi ed to the testify before the United Nations stopped. And the sadness that I collective trauma.
UN in Geneva and UN Security in Geneva. And I said, ‘Yes, I will Seventeen countries so far, is that live and go through will not be “For a small community to
Council in New York, to the presi- do it.’ right? over.” suffer all this...if the international
dent of Egypt, to governments “After I went back to Germany “I have to count them…” community doesn’t do anything
in more than a dozen countries, after testifying, and they found [She smiles for a second, for Are you planning to continue...for for this small community, the
and to countless journalists since the mass grave where my mother the only time during the inter- how long, do you know? Yazidi community will not exist.
deciding to leave her temporary was killed. At that time I had a view, and lists off as many as she “As long as justice is not estab- Our question is now whether the
home as an asylum-seeker in very diffi cult time, and I asked my can with her interpreter. They lished, especially for the women international community will do
Germany late last year. family to go back. They told me, settle on 16, then remember Swit- and girls, I will continue doing something. And the question that
The following interview has ‘Even if you come back, the mass zerland.] this.” we ask is whether the Yazidis will
been edited for length and style. grave is not accessible, and you “Yes, 17 countries.” exist or not?
cannot be there.’ Of all of the governments you’ve “Despite all this, we still have
You’ve told the story of your cap- “In December, a Yazidi who What was going through your spoken to in those 17 countries, hope. Every morning we wake
tivity many times before, includ- is working for Yazda called me mind before you gave your and the UN, have you seen any up. On every hour, we count on
ing to the Immigration Commit- and asked if I was going to testify speech to the UN Security Coun- meaningful action taken yet by the humanity that will not allow
tee in Canada’s Parliament. What before the UN Security Council. cil in New York? any of them? a peaceful community to suffer
happened between the time when “I’ve always, since I returned “The fi rst thing that went “There has been some good this.”
you arrived in Germany and from captivity, taken every op- through my mind was, what was news. For example, the U.S. gov- [email protected]
began your tour around the world portunity to tell my story, even in my speech, and what was not ernment, the U.K. parliament, the @PJMazereeuw
6 THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
NEWS DEFENCE
Liberals’ defence consultations instead of simply replacing aging
equipment.
“Develop certain areas of
speciality that work well within
offer predictable results, our geography, climate and our
needs as a country,” he said of
the response from the some 35
constituents at the event, hosted
questionable benefi ts, say critics in North Bay.
“Let’s not limit ourselves to
those niche areas, but really
concentrate on them.”
He also said attendees called
Opposition MPs
for longer-term military budgets
are accusing the free from political interference.
Mr. Rota said he has been in
government of using regular contact with Minister Sajjan
about the local base since the
the consultation
Liberals assumed offi ce, and that he
process as rubber would follow-up with him to discuss
the response from the event.
stamp. Ms. McCrimmon, a military
veteran, said her constituents urged
Canada to focus on preserving the
Continued from page 1 peace, modernizing equipment, and
protecting the country’s far north.
He called parliamentary They also supported the need
committees a more effective and for a comprehensive review to
transparent process to collect ensure the country is focusing on
information and put forward current and future threats, she said.
recommendations, with meetings “[We have to] make sure
publicly televised and a report on whatever we do is a refl ection is
the proceedings usually required. the current realities we are dealing
Jordan Owens, spokesperson with,” Ms. McCrimmon said,
for Defence Minister Harjit adding that constituents expressed
Sajjan (Vancouver South, B.C.), confi dence in the ability to address
disputed these claims, saying military challenges through
the government is “committed technological advancements.
to engaging with Canadians” on Ms. McCrimmon’s riding,
impactful decisions. which covers a vast section of
“Throughout the consultation Ottawa’s far-west, is a technology
process, we have encouraged hub, she noted.
Canadians to join the Both MPs stressed the importance
conversation and provide their of reaching out to the public to
feedback and views on the future discuss defence policy.
of Canada’s defence policy,” she “I think we need to engage as
said in an emailed statement. many people as we can,” said Ms.
“We are particularly McCrimmon.
encouraged that MPs of all parties The Conservatives, however,
have been actively engaging with expressed skepticism that the
their constituents on the issues consultations would wield any
that matter to Canadians.” infl uence with the government.
The Liberal government Conservative defence critic James Bezan (left) said voters he has spoken with expressed concerned that the Liberal Conservative defence
launched public consultations government will ignore responses from the ongoing public consultations on defence policy that run counter to its stated views, critic James Bezan (Selkirk-
on its promised review of while his NDP counterpart Randall Garrison (right) worries that the Trudeau government used the process to make it easier to Interlake-Eastman, Man.) said
national defence policy in April, selectively choose responses that suit their needs. Liberal MP Karen McCrimmon (centre), however, is expressing optimism constituents he met with voiced
with roundtable meetings with about the consultations and applauds the government for engaging with Canadians. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright concerns about the decision to pull
experts and key stakeholders out of the anti-ISIS mission and
scheduled in cities across the conversations with experts and Ms. Owens countered that Dozens of Liberal MPs hints that the government would
country. Parliamentarians were allies will “feed into the policy review the government has taken action have held consultations on the sign-on to additional peacekeeping
also urged to host town hall process and be refl ected within the on “a number of fi les that required defence policy review, with missions in Africa and abroad.
meetings with constituents. fi nal policy document,” which will our immediate attention.” more scheduled over the next Although the Liberals called for
The review website says it then be approved by Cabinet before Mr. Battista argued that while month. Conservative and NDP the consultations, he said there was
will chiefl y focus on the main being publicly released. public consultations can prove parliamentarians have also little optimism that the responses
challenges to Canada’s security, Mr. Garrison also criticized very useful, the process introduced hosted consultations, as well as would affect government policy.
the role of the Canadian Armed the government for continuing to by the government is “muddled” several community and advocacy “What I’m hearing
Forces in addressing current make big pronouncements about and confusing, citing issues with groups. Green Party Leader is people are concerned that
threats and challenges; and the military commitments and defence the invited presenters, location Elizabeth May has also hosted an this is predetermined, that the
resources and capabilities needed policy prior to the completion of roundtable discussions, and event in her Victoria-area riding. government is going to go ahead
to carry out the CAF mandate. of the review, which he argued avenues for public feedback. Two Liberal MPs who and make decisions regardless of
Feedback from the public raised serious questions about the The process the Liberals used to have held consultations say what may came through the policy
will be accepted until the end usefulness of the process. recruit speakers is “opaque,” he said, constituents appear to be largely review, or [that] the defence policy
of the month, with the new Most notably, the Liberals with certain participants and groups supportive of the direction etched review...will support the things
policy expected to be introduced have committed to steady brought in because of their expertise out by the Trudeau government that they’re already doing,” Mr.
sometime in 2017, according to increases to the defence budget, but others seemingly called upon to on the defence fi le. Bezan said.
National Defence. increasing the size of the military create the “appearance of a multitude Karen McCrimmon (Kanata- Conservative MP Arnold Viersen
The government has also said and bolstering involvement in UN- of viewpoints irrespective of their... Carleton, Ont.) and Anthony (Peace River-Westlock, Alta.) said
it has invited the Senate and led peacekeeping missions. They submissions.” Rota (Nipissing-Timiskaming, he’s hosted fi ve consultations
House committees on national have also repeatedly promised Mr. Battista also objected Ont.) both said that speakers meetings across his sprawling
defence to study issues of to transform the military into a to the options available for at their consultations indicated northern Alberta riding, and while
relevance to the policy review. leaner and more agile organization, participation outside of the support for strengthening they were well-attended, he felt that
However, Mr. Garrison raised though have yet to provide details roundtable discussions or MP- Canada’s commitment to the it wasn’t “something necessarily
concerns about the government’s on what that would entail or how it hosted town halls. United Nations and NATO; a people were interested in.”
failure to explain how the responses would be accomplished. Those who wish to share larger role in peacekeeping While most attendees were
solicited from the consultations will Tony Battista, CEO of their views electronically can do missions; and streamlining the well-informed, the overwhelming
be compiled and how it will inform the Conference of Defence so through several discussion procurement process. sentiment was that the consultations
the policy-making process. Associations Institute, a security- forums on the policy review They also said that would have little impact on the
“You need to have an explanation focused think-tank, levelled website or anonymously via an strong objections were not voiced development of the government’s
of how it will be used, how is it part similar criticisms, accusing the online workbook. to the Trudeau government’s defence policy, he added.
of the decision-making. And we’ve government of rushing to action No email address for the decision to withdraw Canada The Conservative Party has
never had that from the minister or before the conclusion of the department is immediately from the air mission against the also launched its own parallel
anyone involved in the consultation consultation process. provided, though one is made Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. consultations on the defence
process,” he said. “The government seems available on page 28 of the Mr. Rota, whose riding includes policy review. Participants can
“So if you say you’re going prepared to make policy consultation document, Mr. Battista CFB North Bay, a military base that submit feedback by responding
to consult people, what are you announcements irrespective said, adding he’s unsure about how is the centre of NORAD operations to a 10-question form available
going to do with that?” of the outcome of the...public helpful or informative it will be. in Canada, said that attendees on the party’s website.
Ms. Owens, though, said input consultation process,” he said in Liberals report support for urged the federal government to [email protected]
from the consultation process and an interview. government at consultations make smarter military purchases The Hill Times
THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 7
NEWS FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MPs of all stripes decry Turkish
government’s reaction to failed coup
If crackdown Conservative foreign
affairs critic Peter
continues, it could Kent, left, Liberal
MP and chair of
be ‘a very major
the Canada-Turkey
impediment’ to Parliamentary
Friendship Group
Canada-Turkey Judy Sgro, and
Turkish Ambassador
ties, says friendship
Selçuk Ünal. Mr.
group chair and Kent and Ms. Sgro
suggest there could
Liberal MP Sgro. be consequences
for the relationship
Continued from page 1 between Canada and
Turkey if what they
He said he saw a “very less- described as the
than-gracious personality in the Turkish government’s
president on that occasion.” post-coup pattern
“There is an arrogance that he of intimidation
displays when he defends some continues. The Hill
of these less-than-democratic Times fi le photos
moments in his country, both
pre-coup and post-coup,” Mr. Kent
said, while discussing the current
and future relations between
Turkey and Canada with The
Hill Times last week, days after
Turkey announced a three-month
state of emergency.
With the recent arrest of a
Turkish-Canadian citizen in Turkey,
the post-coup-attempt activities of
the Turkish government hit close to
home for Canadians, and Members
of Parliament of all political
stripes are not holding back their
criticism.
The Turkish government has
been widely criticized by Western
governments, including the
European Union, which it wishes
to join, for a crackdown after a
failed coup by members of the
military on July 15, which has
targeted more than 60,000 people,
including academics, judges,
public servants, and journalists.
The president has mused about
bringing back the death penalty,
which Turkey scrapped in 2004 to
help it join the European Union.
“I don’t think this is a partisan
issue at all, but across parties,
we should express at any
opportunity to the president and from many Turkish-Canadians and they are in Turkey’s constitution, The Canadian Press reported “The rule of law and respect
to the representatives [of] Turkey Canadians with Turkish background and that “we all have to really that Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion for due process in the conduct of
in Canada, our concern over the that they are fearful for their families understand the seriousness of last week said: “About the Gulen investigations are integral to the
rule of law, freedom of speech, still in Turkey. this attempted coup. It has been movement...we have received democratic principles that, last
freedom of association, and the She said what Canada needs reported, but I don’t know if it is requests before the coup and after Friday night, prompted thousands
obvious, serious encroachment to do now is “continue the really well understood.” from the government of Turkey of Turks to fl ood into the streets to
of civil and human rights in conversation about the impact “Because there were many about the movement that is existing protect. It is important that these
the last week,” said Mr. Kent, of their actions and what it can civilians allegedly involved in in Canada, and we have asked for same democratic principles and
speaking before the detainment [mean] long term.” Canada should this, or [who] aided these coup evidence because otherwise the values guide the government’s
of Calgary man Davud Hanci was not overreact today, she said, but plotters, that was a necessity, as Canadian justice system cannot actions in the coming months,”
reported. needs to carefully think through the government has announced, address an issue on the basis of read the statement.
Liberal MP Judy Sgro (Humber the steps needed to restore peace that there will be temporary allegations.” Additionally, Mr. Ünal was
River-Black Creek, Ont.) told in Turkey, “so that we all can move restrictions on some government Mr. Kent said Turkey wants to be called in to Global Affairs to be
The Hill Times she was “alarmed” forward to build a better world.” employees, or the ones in the a member of the Western, democratic questioned about the arrest of Mr.
at the behaviour of the Turkish When asked what she state universities; that’s why family. “But, the post-coup behaviour Hanci, according to a report from
government in the aftermath of imagined these long-term impacts that is the starting point,” he told raises great concerns about President the Canadian Press.
the attempted coup. NDP foreign might look like, she said she The Hill Times in an interview Erdogan’s commitment to rule of “Human rights is something
affairs critic Hélène Laverdière also didn’t want to suggest them, but Monday morning. law, democratic process, and human that Canada stands for, and so
expressed her displeasure to The continued to say “they can be very Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish rights.” did Turkey, we thought,” said
Hill Times, and her party issued a signifi cant if you’re talking about imam who is in self-imposed exile Turkey is an important ally, Ms. Ms. Sgro. “You’re not respecting
statement on Monday saying New trade or our relationship overall, from Turkey in Pennsylvania, Sgro said, “and we would like them human rights if you’re rounding
Democrats are “alarmed” at the with NATO, and so on.” has been accused by President to continue to be just that, but that up thousands of people, highly
situation unfolding in Turkey. Both Turkey and Canada Erdogan of instigating the coup becomes more and more diffi cult educated people, people in the
Ms. Sgro said that if President are members of the NATO attempt. Mr. Hanci has been every day they talk about rounding judiciary, for heaven’s sake, and
Erdogan continues with these military alliance and the G20. The accused of being affi liated with the up thousands more innocent intimidating Canadians abroad,”
methods, it will be “a very major Conservative government Gülen movement. Mr. Gülen has people without any evidence of she went on, referring to the
impediment” to the future of had started exploratory talks denied involvement in the coup. any wrongdoing, and talking about recent detainment of Mr. Hanci.
Canada-Turkey relations. with Turkey toward possibly Family and friends of Mr. Hanci introducing the death penalty.” “Anybody who didn’t have to
Ms. Sgro, who chairs the Canada- negotiating a trade deal, but the say he’s innocent. Mr. Dion issued a statement on same eye colour as the president
Turkey Parliamentary Friendship talks have since fi zzled. Turkey “would like to see July 20, the same day the Turkish appears to be being labelled a
Group, said she expected the Turkish Turkish Ambassador to Canada more solidarity messages [from government announced the state terrorist. I don’t think that’s the
government to be a “mature enough Selçuk Ünal dismissed concerns Canada], and of course regarding of emergency, that said Canada is most productive way to handle
democracy” to have responded about his country’s current state of the elements of this group here, very concerned with the reports these types of issues,” said Ms. Sgro.
in a better, more measured way emergency. He said the measures we would like to see more co- of troubling behaviour of Mr. [email protected]
than it has. She said she is hearing being taken are justifi ed because operation,” Mr. Ünal said. Erdogan’s government. @chels_nash
8 THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
Editor Kate Malloy Assistant Deputy Editor Abbas Rana Publishers Anne Marie Creskey,
Deputy Editor Derek Abma Online Editor, Power & Influence Editor Ally Foster Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson
Managing Editor Kristen Shane
Deputy Editor Peter Mazereeuw General Manager, CFO Andrew Morrow
EDITORIAL REAL ESTATE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
No easy solution in housing crisis Don’t just boost disaster
funding—minimize disasters
The British Columbia government’s The average price of a house sold
decision to institute a 15 per cent in Canada rose 13 per cent to a record
tax on foreign home buyers in the high of $509,460 in May, despite
Re: “Liberals promise plan to bolster ment from fl oodplains, managed watersheds
Vancouver region reads like smart unemployment sitting at nearly seven
emergency preparedness as extreme to moderate fl oods, saved wetlands, planted
politics. per cent. In the Vancouver region, the
weather events surge,” (The Hill Times, trees, maintained strategically placed dams,
Wealthy foreign buyers, largely benchmark price of a detached home now
July 20, online). The report by offi ce of the monitored river fl ows, updated fl oodplain
from fast-growing markets in Asia, sits at $1.4-million. The average price of
parliamentary budget offi cer that Craig mapping, and reviewed development plans.
are the easiest of targets in the a new house in the Greater Toronto Area
Stewart cited found sharp jumps in federal A lesson for climate change: don’t just
increasingly heated debate about has also soared above $1 million. disaster payments. But Ontario barely ap- boost disaster funding—minimize disasters
soaring prices in the Lower Mainland. In an economic landscape marked pears. Between 2005 and 2014, it received by integrating land and water manage-
They are the safest to blame because by stagnant wages and sky-high real $9 per capita while Alberta received $427, ment. And by planning for 100 per cent
they don’t live here and, as the estate prices, seemingly detached from Manitoba $598, and Saskatchewan $722. renewable energy by 2050, switching subsi-
narrative goes, are absentee owners economic pressures, homeownership Why does Ontario need relatively mini- dies from fossil fuel to green energy, setting
who simply use their purchases to has become even more vital. mal assistance? The report stresses differ- a carbon fee, judging energy projects for
stash their immense wealth. So what are governments left to do? ences in fl oodplain regulations. Ontario’s emissions including downstream product
Their actual impact, however, is far Hike interest rates? 70-year old Conservation Authorities Act re- use, and paying our carbon debt to the
more elusive, with successive studies Demand larger down payments? quires land and water management integrat- Global South. As soon as possible.
failing to paint a clear picture. The federal government is ed on a watershed basis. For decades, the 36 Elizabeth Snell
Some blame foreigners for driving preaching caution, warning that watershed agencies have excluded develop- Guelph, Ont.
the surging prices; others dispute any drastic change could seriously
their impact. defl ate prices and erode the equity
It’s a compelling debate, but it’s a Canadians have built in their homes.
Divert military resources from offensive
distraction. Instead, the Liberals have promised to
The real issue at the heart of invest millions to bolster the stock of
Canada’s real estate struggles affordable housing units in the country. action to emergency preparedness
is generational. It’s perhaps the safest route in a
First-time buyers are increasingly crisis with no good solutions.
Re: “Liberals promise plan to bolster would see some positive results: less war,
struggling to fi nd that seemingly An interest rate hike could have
emergency preparedness as extreme less destruction, and maybe even decreased
fabled reasonably priced starter serious ramifi cations for overextended
weather events surge” (The Hill Times, July carbon emissions and better emergency
home, as surging prices put home homeowners, among others. Remember,
20, online). Sadly, since the world has been services for the extreme weather events that
ownership out of reach for a Canadians ended 2015 with a record- fi ddling while Rome burns, bolstering emer- are now inevitable.
generation incessantly lectured about high debt burden, with households gency preparedness is now vital. However, increasing preparedness must
its necessity. These pressures have also having more than $1.65 in debt for every Ironically, the military contributes not come at the expense of mitigation. It is
pushed rental prices skyward. dollar of annual disposable income, greatly to carbon emissions that cause crucial that we cease damaging the Earth’s
Older homeowners, who likely according to Statistics Canada. climate instability and therefore creates climate systems. The quickest way to take the
purchased their fi rst property decades Meanwhile, requiring larger further risk-multipliers around the world. biggest bite out of the problem is with carbon
ago when prices were lower and down payments will only squeeze The military is now contributing to the need pricing. The fairest, most effective, and quick-
starting salaries more robust, are faring out Canadians who cannot afford to for the military. est way to price carbon is with a revenue-
far better. save such a large amount of money, Wouldn’t it be a better idea to divert neutral carbon fee and dividend policy.
If they reside in a big city, the value especially cash-strapped prospective military resources from offensive action Cathy Lacroix
of their home has likely skyrocketed fi rst-time buyers. to emergency preparedness? At least we Toronto, Ont.
in a trend that shows little sign of With choices like that, don’t expect
abating. any easy solutions to this crisis.
Globalists the big losers with Brexit
A popular revolution against globalism is trust and contempt of ordinary Americans
well underway globally and globalists for the political establishment has never
like George Soros with his political, fi nan- been greater.
cial, and media-elite friends are not happy. The debate between elitism and popu-
Britain may well have struck the fi rst blow lism is not new to Canada, and was in fact
in a populist movement that could see more what brought Preston Manning’s Reform
European Union members have their own Party to Ottawa in 1993.
referendums to leave, and the distinct possi- Justin Trudeau is currently riding high
bility of the eventual unravelling of the EU. in the polls but his decisions to ignore pub-
The elitist overlords of the EU are dis- lic opinion in fast-tracking Syrian refugees
covering that taking away borders and su- into the country, pulling our jets out of the
perimposing manufactured civic identities fi ght against ISIS and opting for defi cit
over once-proud nations and cultures with spending could come back to haunt him in
their own rich and complex histories is not the 2019 election if he continues to ignore
working and runs contrary to basic human the silent majority.
psychology. The British rightly concluded Jason Kenney was right with his con-
that any economic advantages they enjoyed gratulatory remark that Britain had chosen
in the EU were more than offset by their “hope over fear.” Tony Clement’s comment
loss of freedom and sovereignty, and that that Brexit was a “magnifi cent exercise in
they were now at the mercy of unelectable democracy” was timely and a reminder to
and unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels. the federal Liberals that ordinary citizens
The American version of Brexit is on in Canada want a say in electoral reform
clear display in the United States election through a referendum.
campaign, with the surprising support for Gerald Hall
Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. The dis- Nanoose Bay, B.C.
EDITORIAL Crane, Jim Creskey, Murray Dobbin, Gwynne Dyer, Michael CORPORATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Craig Caldbick, DELIVERY INQUIRIES Please send letters to the editor to the above
SENIOR REPORTERS Tim Naumetz and Laura Ryckewaert Geist, Greg Elmer, Alice Funke, J.L. Granatstein, Éric Grenier, Martin Reaume, Ulle Baum, Anne-Marie DeSousa [email protected] street address or e-mail to [email protected].
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THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 9
GLOBAL AFFAIRS U.S. ELECTION
A glimpse of a Trump presidency
Beijing will certainly respond
by pushing forward with the
proposed Regional Comprehen-
sive Economic Partnership, which
would include 16 nations of the
Asia-Pacifi c region but exclude
Let’s suppose it’s With Trump elected the United States. However, it
president, China may also manufacture a military
July 2017 and Trump may manufacture confrontation with the United
a military States to distract popular discon-
has won the U.S.
confrontation with tent at home with a foreign threat.
election. The policy the United States The dispute over the South China
to distract popular Sea would do nicely.
shockwaves are discontent at home Japan, which is starting a ma-
with a foreign jor military build-up after Prime
hitting Canada,
threat, predicts Minister Shinzo Abe fi nally re-
China, the EU, Gwynne Dyer. Photo moved the anti-war Article 9 from
courtesy of Gage the constitution in March 2017,
and Mexico hard. Skidmore will be at America’s side in this
confrontation, but its European
allies may not. Trump’s pro-Putin
posture has not gone down well in
the EU, which worries about Rus-
sia’s intentions, and his demands
that Europe’s NATO members pay
GWYNNE DYER more of the alliance’s costs have
not helped either.
The European Union, still in
LONDON, U.K.—Let us sup- shock after Britain’s Brexit vote in
pose that it is July 2017. Let three that had the most appeal to controlled machine-guns that re- nationalist regime may come to 2016, has been further shaken by
us suppose that Donald Trump, his core voters, and he is imple- spond to those attempts. There are power in Mexico, but “establish- the near-win of Marine Le Pen, the
nominated as the Republican menting them fast. They are: a also landmines down in the ditch. ment experts” are not welcome in leader of the far-right, anti-EU Na-
candidate for the United States tariff on foreign imports of up to Why is it so lethal? Because long the new White House. tional Front, in the May run-off of
presidency exactly a year ago, 45 per cent, an end to free trade experience has shown that the Negotiations for a Transatlantic the French presidential elections.
won the November election— deals, and tight curbs on immi- only way to really close a border is Trade and Investment Partnership The spectre of EU collapse comes
quite narrowly, perhaps, but the gration—especially the famous to kill people who try to cross it. between the U.S. and European nearer, and Europe has no time for
polls are certainly suggesting that “wall” on the Mexican border The “wall” is not yet fi nished in Union have been broken off, and America’s Asian quarrels.
such a thing is possible. So he It won’t actually be a wall, July 2017, of course. It will take the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership will In the United States, the econo-
was inaugurated six months ago, of course. It will be the kind of several years to complete, at a cost never be ratifi ed by Congress. The my is still chugging along despite
and has started to put his cam- high-tech barrier that countries of $30 to $50 billion. Already, how- legislation for double-digit tariffs the stock-market crash of Novem-
paign promises into effect. build when they are really serious ever, there are daily deaths among on foreign imports is still making ber 2016. Trump’s big increase in the
We may also assume that the about closing a frontier. There the tens of thousands of Mexican its way through Congress, as is the military budget, his huge expansion
Republican Party retains control will be a ditch about three metres protesters who gather at the con- bill to end the North American Free of infrastructure spending (with
of both houses of Congress. If it deep and 10 metres wide extend- struction sites, and a few among Trade Agreement (which is causing borrowed money) and the rise in
doesn’t, then Trump’s ability to ex- ing for 3,000 kilometres along the Mexican-American protesters on panic in Canada, about three- the minimum wage have kept the
ecute his plans would be seriously U.S.-Mexican border. It will have the other side of the fence as well. quarters of whose exports go to the machine turning over for the time
circumscribed, but the surge of a three-metre-high razor-wire The Mexican government, United States). being. The effect of declaring a trade
support that gives Trump victory fence along the front edge of the faced with economic disaster as The new laws will go through in war on the rest of the world is not
would probably also give the Re- ditch, facing Mexico, and another the millions of manufacturing the end, and the most important ca- yet being felt at home, but it will be.
publicans a win in some close Sen- along the back edge. jobs created in Mexico to export sualty will be U.S.-China trade (as And it’s only July 2017. Trump
ate races. The Republican majority The front fence has a high- back to the United States evapo- Trump fully intends it to be). China still has another three and a half
in the House of Representatives, voltage current running through it. rate, has broken diplomatic rela- is already in a thinly disguised years in the White House.
thanks to extensive gerrymander- The back fence carries the video tions with Washington, as have recession, and the impact of the Gwynne Dyer is a United
ing, is practically fi reproof. and infra-red cameras and motion- several other Latin American new trade measures will turn it into Kingdom-based independent
Trump’s three most disruptive sensors that detect attempts to nations. U.S. State Department a political crisis that threatens the journalist.
campaign promises were also the cross the ditch, and the remotely experts are worried that a radical survival of the Communist regime. The Hill Times
INSIDE DEFENCE U.S. ELECTION
In a Trump world, Latvia, and Lithuania—by not- blessed by geography to be sur- That was of course the case
ing that he would examine their rounded on three sides by natural until The Donald boasted that, as
current military contributions to ocean-sized moats. Our single president, his U.S. military would
NATO before committing to their land border is with the U.S. and, be checking out defence bud-
Canada’s Baltic collective defence. Trump’s state- given the comparative military get receipts before picking and
ments fl y in the face of Article 5 strengths, that boundary will choosing which NATO members
of NATO’s founding treaty, which remain unchallenged until such to protect.
guarantees a collective defence time as a future U.S. administra- The 4,000 troops sent by NATO
force less protected
against outside aggression for all tion chooses to adjust it. to the Baltic states have been
member nations, with no caveats Regarding the Baltic states, described as a tripwire force,
regarding individual defence Canada should also heed what with keen-eyed tactical analysts
spending. Trump is spouting. As part of predicting they would not last 60
Canada should be particularly NATO’s ongoing propaganda hours in full combat with Vladi-
The U.S. cavalry will time for the world to start bracing alarmed at the very real possibil- campaign to demonize Russia, it mir Putin’s Legion of Doom. Un-
for the all-too-frightening prospect ity that this blowhard buffoon was decided to stage a pre-emp- der Article 5 of the NATO treaty,
not be riding in to of Donald Trump actually becom- could soon be elected as com- tive deterrent in the Baltic states. that 60-hour window should have
ing the next American president. mander-in-chief of the world’s Contrary to a prior agreement been enough time for the Good
save the day if the
For Mexicans, this means they largest military machine. with post-Soviet Russia, wherein Old U.S.A. to unleash a full-sized
countries Trump calls should start setting aside some At present, Canada would be non-indigenous NATO troops can of whoop-ass on these land-
money now to build that wall Trump considered one of the shirkers in would not be based east of the crazy Ruskies, and this would
NATO freeloaders insists he will install once elected. the NATO club, as we spend only German border, Canada will be result in a glorious Hollywood
During his acceptance speech about one per cent of our GDP on part of a four-nation force leading ending.
don’t pay.
last Thursday, Trump also set his the Canadian Armed Forces. To the deployment of combat troops In a Trump world, how-
sights on the NATO alliance, par- match Trump’s demands, Canada in the Baltic region. ever, these shirkers in the Baltic
ticularly those countries that do not would need to double its defence As a sop to the Russians, these states—which now includes an
spend the arbitrarily assigned two budget from $20 billion to $40 soldiers will be patrolling the under-spending Canadian mili-
per cent of their gross domestic billion annually. While this comes Baltic borders on a permanent, tary contingent—can bet that the
product (GDP) on military budgets. as welcome music to the ears of rotational basis. U.S. cavalry will not be riding in
Trump has bombastically the war-mongering Colonel Blimp Russia has rightly denounced to save the day.
stated that such shirkers would Brigade, right-thinking Canadians this new deployment as an unnec- These are going to be very
SCOTT TAYLOR
not automatically be guaranteed will realize that this would mean essary provocation, since, as full interesting times indeed.
U.S. military protection should he forfeiting $20 billion from other NATO members, Latvia, Lithu- Scott Taylor is editor and
OTTAWA—Now that the dust be occupying the Oval Offi ce next current government services. ania, and Estonia are all guaran- publisher of Esprit de Corps
has settled in Cleveland follow- January. The additional massive ex- teed collective defence in the case magazine.
ing the United States Republican In particular, Trump singled penditure would also in no way that Russia would be suicidal [email protected]
Party National Convention, it is out the Baltic states—Estonia, make Canada any safer. We are enough to violate their borders. The Hill Times
10 THE HILL TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
PLAIN SPEAK JUSTICE
Supreme Court, The Globe reported that “the
Liberals have decided no one from
the province fi ts its qualifi cations
for the country’s highest court –
like Parliament, and a lack of bilingual candidates
appears to be the stumbling
block.” The paper referenced that
the Justice department said at
can accommodate
least one judge on a lower court
is functionally bilingual and six
others are taking French lessons.
unilingual members According to Globe justice
correspondent Sean Fine, despite
the prime minister setting up a
committee to identify someone
and the province publicly
Language and Cromwell’s seat on the court advocating for a Newfoundlander
by convention is designated as or Labradorian on the court, no
its nuances are an Atlantic Canadian place. Who one fi ts the bill.
from the region will replace him? The only on-record comment
important, but they
Will Newfoundland and Labrador being made by the federal
shouldn’t be non- fi nally get a representative on the government to date is that
court? no appointment process has
negotiable when it Since Newfoundland and been announced yet. That is
Labrador joined Canada in 1949 tepid response for many in
comes to who sits in
they have never had anyone on Newfoundland and Labrador who
judgment of us. the top bench in the land. Sixty- feel this is a matter of fairness. The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to make his fi rst appointment to
seven years as part of the country fairness argument is not likely to the Supreme Court of Canada after Justice Thomas Cromwell steps down in
and no one from the Rock has win many supporters outside of September. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
been deemed as qualifi ed for the the province who will argue that
role. While this omission hasn’t the bilingualism requirement is a Lord knows I wish my French would impair a justice lacking
led to rioting in the streets or the simple fact of life when seeking a were better. But when it comes to bilingual capacity? Hopefully, if in
premier fl ying fl ags at half-mast, higher-level federal appointment, putting judges on the Supreme fact “no appointment process” is
it still a source of frustration to be that as a judge or as director in Court I suspect I am not alone truly underway, these matters will
TIM POWERS many. a federal department. in hoping for the appointment get addressed. Language and its
Blood started to boil again While it may be a fact of life, of a jurist with signifi cant legal nuances are important, but they
last week in the East when a should bilingualism or a lack thereof experience, sound judgment, and shouldn’t be non-negotiable when it
The prime minister soon has headline from the Globe and Mail be the make-or-break requirement a long record of success in his comes to who sits in judgment of us.
another important choice to screamed out, “Newfoundland to to sit on the court? This is more or her profession. Integrity and Newfoundland and Labrador
make. Justice Thomas Cromwell remain without a judge on Su- problematic if used as a roadblock respect from various elements of has many top justices with long
will be stepping down from preme Court.” If Newfoundland- in era where simultaneous the legal community would also and positive records. They should
the Supreme Court of Canada ers still got physical copies of the translation is readily available and be part of the pedigree. not be dismissed for consideration
on Sept. 1 and will need to be Globe, as hard copies of the paper used by the parliamentarians who What percentage of Supreme for a position on the Supreme
replaced. This will be Justin aren’t delivered there any longer, make the laws. Court matters are heard or Court of Canada because they are
Trudeau’s fi rst appointment to the the province’s litter boxes would Look, I am not looking to administered in French? Is it so lacking bilingualism.
highest court in the land. have been well lined. start a language or cultural war. statistically signifi cant that it [email protected]
OPINION GREEN PARTY CONVENTION
Greens should vote Chinese, aboriginals, and other B’nai Brith Canada
non-“whites” to buy property. and the Centre for
In 1948 Annie Noble decided Israel and Jewish
to sell a cottage in the exclusive Affairs asked their
to revoke Jewish Beach O’ Pines subdivision on Lake supporters to write
Huron to Bernie Wolf, who was Jew- Green Party leader
ish. During the sale, Wolf’s lawyer Elizabeth May,
realized that the original deed for pictured in June,
National Fund the property contained the follow- about the motion
ing clause: “The lands and premises seeking to revoke the
herein described shall never be Jewish National Fund
sold, assigned, transferred, leased, of Canada’s charitable
charitable status
rented or in any manner whatso- status, which is seen
ever alienated to, and shall never by critics to be anti-
be occupied or used in any manner Semitic. The Hill Times
whatsoever by any person of the photograph by Jake Wright
Jewish, Hebrew, Semitic, Negro
Ottawa needs to
tion calling on the party to pres- or coloured race or blood, it being
stop subsidizing sure the Canada Revenue Agency the intention and purpose of the cance” in the battle, according to al and societal discrimination” in
to revoke the Jewish National Grantor, to restrict the ownership, a local MP, “for human rights and Israel says JNF “statutes prohibit
discriminatory Fund of Canada’s charitable use, occupation and enjoyment of against discrimination on racial sale or lease of land to non-Jews.”
land covenants. status. The Independent Jewish the said recreational development, and religious grounds in Canada.” The report notes that in re-
Voices Canada activist crafted including the lands and premises Six decades after the Supreme sponse to a 2005 attorney general
a motion criticizing the JNF’s herein described, to persons of the Court delivered a blow to racist ruling, the Israeli government
“discrimination against non-Jews white or Caucasian race.” property covenants, 62 per cent “agreed to compensate the JNF
in Israel through its bylaws which Noble and Wolf tried to get the of Green members have voted for for any land it leased to an Arab
prohibit the lease or sale of its court to declare the restriction a resolution calling on Ottawa to by transferring an equal amount
lands to non-Jews.” invalid but they were opposed by end its support for a charity that of land from the Israel Lands Ad-
In response to this exercise the Beach O’ Pines Protective As- discriminates in land use abroad. ministration to the JNF.” But that
YVES ENGLER in party democracy, B’nai Brith sociation and both a Toronto court An owner of about 13 per cent doesn’t change the fact that the
Canada and the Centre for Israel and the Ontario Court of Appeal of Israel’s land, JNF bylaws and JNF’s bylaws are discriminatory.
and Jewish Affairs asked their sup- refused to invalidate the racist lease documents contain a restric- Yet JNF Canada, which raised
Despite a backlash evocative of porters to write party leader Eliza- covenant. But Noble and Wolf tive covenant stating its property $29 million in 2014, is a registered
those who defended the Jim beth May about the motion, which pursued the case, with assistance will not be leased to non-Jews. A charity. As such, it can provide
Crow-era United States South, is seen by critics to be anti-Semitic. from the Canadian Jewish Con- 1998 United Nations Committee tax credits for donations, mean-
Green Party members recently The Jewish Defence League of gress, to the Supreme Court of on Economic, Social, and Cultural ing that part of its budget effec-
voted in favour of a resolution Canada, a far-right group, said it Canada. In a 6-to-1 decision, the Rights report found it systemati- tively comes from public coffers.
calling on Ottawa to stop subsi- would protest at the party’s August highest court reversed the lower cally discriminated against Pales- The Green Party should ignore
dizing racist land covenants. In convention in Ottawa. courts’ rulings and allowed Wolf tinian citizens of Israel (Arab Is- the right-wing backlash and up-
August the Greens will make a Backlash aside, the Greens’ to purchase the property. raelis) who make up a fi fth of the hold the principle that discrimina-
fi nal decision on whether they JNF resolution affi rms a principle The publicity surrounding the population. According to the UN tory land-use policies are wrong.
support the principles underlying enunciated by the Supreme Court case prompted Ontario to pass a report, JNF lands are “chartered Yves Engler is the author of
a half-century old Supreme Court 60 years ago. Into the 1950s, re- law voiding racist land covenants to benefi t Jews exclusively,” which eight books. His latest is Canada
of Canada decision outlawing strictive land covenants in many and in 2009 the federal govern- has led to an “institutionalized in Africa: 300 Years of Aid and
discriminatory land-use policies. exclusive neighbourhoods and ment defi ned the Noble et al. v. form of discrimination.” Echoing Exploitation.
Green Party member Corey communities across Canada made Alley Supreme Court case “an the UN, a 2015 U.S. State Depart- [email protected]
Levine has put forward a resolu- it impossible for Jews, blacks, event of national historic signifi - ment report detailing “institution- The Hill Times