6.03.2008

house of commons: watching the vote

[Guest post from Allan/redsock]

Laura is in Ottawa today with the rest of the Toronto members of the War Resisters Campaign for this afternoon's historic vote in the House of Commons to allow Iraq War resisters from the US to remain in Canada.

The three opposition parties have indicated that their members will vote Yes on the motion. If that happens, Harper's minority government, while in power, cannot defeat the motion. Once it passes, Harper has two choices: obey the motion or give a huge middle finger to Parliament and a clear majority of Canadian voters.

I'll be watching on CPAC (watch online here) and will provide running commentary in comments. Feel free to tune in and follow along!

This is the text of the motion:
The Committee recommends that the government immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and do not have a criminal record, to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

As I said in the thread below, I'm not sure if the vote is at 3 PM or if the session that will include the vote begins at that time. Either way, I'll be back at 3 PM.

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