8.06.2009

immigration critic olivia chow denouces jason kenney for disrespecting democracy

From the website of Olivia Chow, MP, Immigration Critic.
OLIVIA CHOW DENOUNCING IMMIGRATION MINISTER IGNORING THE WILL OF PARLIAMENT

Minister still trying to deport war resisters
August 6, 2009

TORONTO – New Democrat Immigration Critic Olivia Chow is protesting Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s continual attempts to deport US War resisters, despite a clear mandate from Parliament to allow them to stay.

“Sixty-four percent of Canadians support war resisters. Immigration Critics from all parties came together and wrote to Minister Kenney supporting them,” said Chow. “A majority of MPs voted twice to allow the war resisters to stay in Canada. Why won’t the Conservatives listen?”

Chow made her remarks after hearing that Rodney Watson, an Iraq War resister who has lived in Vancouver since 2007 was asked to leave the country by August 10. Watson, who has an eight-month-old Canadian son, left the army after witnessing mistreatment of Iraqis.

“The Harper government is thumbing its nose at the wishes of Parliament and the Canadian people,” said Chow.

On Friday, August 7, at 4:30 pm, Chow will join Toronto-area supporters of war resisters on the northwest corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West in protest.

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