CJPAC

Statement by Liberal Leader Bob Rae on the passing of Rabbi Gunther Plaut

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:28:14 +0000

OTTAWA– Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on the death of Rabbi Gunther Plaut:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Gunther Plaut last night in Toronto.

Gunther Plaut was a friend to many, and a teacher and leader of great distinction. As the senior rabbi at the Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto for many years, he was a source of inspiration and guidance to the Jewish community and the wider Canadian community. A brilliant scholar, he was an active advisor to provincial and federal governments on human rights, interfaith understanding, and social justice and international affairs.

On a personal level, Arlene and I have lost a friend. We shall remember Gunther and his late wife Elizabeth with warmth and affection. They led the Temple congregation with distinction and dignity.”

SO YOU’RE CRAZY… BUT ARE YOU OUR KIND OF CRAZY?** (CJPAC INTERN APPLICATIONS)

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:09:52 +0000

* The Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) is looking for interns who share our enthusiasm, passion, and joy for Canadian politics, the Jewish community, and Israel. At CJPAC, we’re multi-partisan, which means that all party affiliations are welcome. At CJPAC you’ll be given the opportunity to make a real impact on our community and on Canada.

The CJPAC Summer Internship Program is a full-time paid internship program running from May until the end of August in summer 2012. Students entering the internship program must be returning to campus in September 2012. Summer Internships will be offered in our Toronto office and potentially in our Montreal office.

Please download the following application form, attach an updated resume and email them to rchertkoff@cjpac.ca by Wednesday, February 29^th at 5pm EST.

Download application form here

Question by Nycole Turmel on Syria

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:14 +0000

Mrs. Nycole Turmel (Leader of the Opposition, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, in order to pressure the Assad regime, the United States announced on Monday that it was pulling its ambassador out of Damascus. Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy have followed suit. France also just announced that it is recalling its ambassador.
When will Canada recall its ambassador to Syria?

Hon. Jason Kenney (Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, no country is as concerned about the current human rights abuses in Syria as Canada. That is why we are very disappointed at the decision by China and Russia to veto the Security Council resolution against the Assad regime. That being said, we have already recalled most of our embassy staff from Damascus. We have to maintain a basic presence in order to protect the interests of the Canadians who are there. However, when the time comes, we will—

Oral Question / Syria

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:05:34 +0000

Hon. Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were distressed by the Russian and Chinese veto of a UN Security Council resolution aimed to implement the Arab League plan to bring an end to the appalling violence in Syria.
Will the government assure Canadians that the Prime Minister will specifically raise the objectionable Chinese veto at the UN on the weekend when he meets with Chinese leaders this week?
Will the government tell us what specific measures it is taking to protect Canadians in Syria and also to protect minorities in Syria who are at great risk because of the rising violence, groups like the Syrian Christian community?

Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, as I said, the killing must stop now and President Assad must go. That is a clear message from the Government of Canada.
I would tell the member opposite that, yes, the Prime Minister will be discussing a whole lot of foreign affairs issues with his Chinese hosts, including Syria and Iran.
We have asked all Canadians who are now living in Syria to leave Syria as soon as possible. We have reduced our staff in Syria to four personnel and we are asking all other Canadians to leave Syria now.

Oral Question / Syria

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:02:11 +0000

Ms. Hélène Laverdière (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate. The people of Homs continue to be shot and killed. What measures has the government taken to react to the most recent developments? In particular, why has the government not recalled our ambassador to Syria, which would send a clear message to the Assad regime?

Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, this government has sent a very clear message to the Assad government that the killing must stop now and to bring reconciliation, Mr. Assad has to go. That is the very clear message from the Government of Canada to the government of Syria. Our Ambassador there is passing on this message very strongly to the government of Syria.
However, Canada announced last week that we would reduce diplomatic staff at our embassy in Damascus to core personnel only. The safety of Canadian staff in Syria is our number one priority.

Ms. Hélène Laverdière (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, reducing staff in the embassy is one thing but recalling the ambassador would send a real message.
The Prime Minister has a unique opportunity, over the course of his trip to China, to raise the issue of Syria with the Chinese authorities. What concrete action does the government intend to take to persuade China to get on board with international efforts, particularly those of the Arab League?

Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, this government has sent a very clear message to the government of Syria. President Assad must go, Canada wants reconciliation and the killing must stop now. We are working with our allies to put pressure on the Syrian government.
As far as China is concerned, the Prime Minister will discuss a whole range of issues with our hosts, including the situation in Syria and Iran.

Oral Question / Syria

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:57:07 +0000

Mrs. Nycole Turmel (Leader of the Opposition, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were disappointed when the UN Security Council failed to deal with the crisis in Syria after a veto from Russia and China.
Will the Prime Minister raise this issue in China? What pressure will he exert? In the meantime, the United States has closed its embassy in Damascus and pulled American diplomats out of Syria. Will Canada also recall its ambassador?

Hon. Diane Finley (Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, our government has worked very closely with the international community to apply pressure on the Assad regime to stop the slaughter. We have been very clear about this. Assad must go.
That is why Canada announced an evacuation of all Canadians from Syria. Consular services at the embassy are down to a skeletal level. We repeat our call for Canadians to leave Syria as quickly as possible while they still can.

Statement by Member (Toet) on Foreign Affairs

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:02:19 +0000

Mr. Lawrence Toet (Elmwood—Transcona, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the firing of rockets by Hamas into Israeli communities has been and continues to be a regular occurrence. These attacks strike police stations, coffee shops and even elementary schools are done without remorse. Hamas’ goal is simple: the total destruction of Israel and the slaughter of all Jews.
In Canada, Hamas is rightly listed as a terrorist organization. Unfortunately, Canada’s official opposition does not see this anti-Semitic organization as all that bad. Last night on Power and Politics, when given multiple opportunities to say that the NDP would not work with this terrorist organization, the NDP member for Newton—North Delta refused to do so. Sadly, this NDP policy should come as no surprise from a party that includes a member who has said that Israel has been an occupied territory since 1948. This irresponsible position is further proof that the NDP is not fit to govern.

Statement by Member (Adler)

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:01:13 +0000

Mr. Mark Adler (York Centre, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. Today, they are visiting Israel. The ministers are attending a reception co-hosted by the Canadian embassy and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Israel Bureau.
This reception is a celebration of the long-standing friendship between Canada and Israel and the deepening alliance between our two countries. This visit is a reflection of the level of qualitative collaboration and consultation between Canada and Israel. The Prime Minister of Israel has said that there is no better friend to Israel than Canada.
Our government is proud of its unwavering support for Israel, especially at the United Nations. Canada has spoken up against the numerous United Nations resolutions critical solely of Israel. Our government is proud and unapologetic for its support for the only thriving democracy in the Middle East.
I wish the ministers all the best in their meetings in Israel and in their efforts to strengthen the relationship between Canada and Israel. Mazel tov.

Oral Question by Member (John Weston)

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:59:14 +0000

Mr. John Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, as you know, and as our Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs have said on many occasions, Iran presents the greatest threat to global peace and security today.
Members of this government regularly acknowledge the significant contributions to Canada by people of Persian or Iranian background, but Iran’s current leaders regularly turn a blind eye to their human rights obligations and hide their nuclear activities by blocking international attempts to verify the country’s claims.
Could the Minister of National Defence please update the House on the actions taken by our government today?

Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his work on this file.
Canada is increasingly concerned by the actions taken by the Iranian authorities and will increase sanctions immediately.
Canada is extending existing sanctions against five entities and three individuals in Iran.
Canada has taken aggressive action and has been among the toughest with sanctions against Iran in the world. In fact, Canada has sanctions that cover the known leadership, the Iranian revolutionary guard. It blocked virtually all financial transactions with Iran, including those with the central bank.
Canada will continue to work with the growing list of like-minded countries to limit Iran’s ability for further undercut global peace—

Statement by Member (Costas Menegakis) on Iran

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:57:16 +0000

Mr. Costas Menegakis (Richmond Hill, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, today our government announced expanded sanctions against Iran in an effort to further apply pressure to a regime that both undermines regional and global security and regularly turns a blind eye to its international human rights obligations.
We are deeply concerned by reports of an increase in arrests and death sentences in Iran, including that of Iranian citizen Saeed Malekpour, who now faces imminent execution on the sham charges of spreading corruption. Sadly, Saeed’s case is but one example of the regime’s utter disregard for human rights and its failure to meet internationally recognized norms of due process and transparency.
Canada will hold Iran accountable for Mr. Malekpour’s treatment. We have been actively speaking out and raising his case with the Iranian authorities.
We call on Iran to reverse its current course, meet its international human rights obligations and release prisoners such as Saeed Malekpour and others who have failed to receive fair and transparent legal treatment.