Human rights

Wednesday August 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 2, 2017

Saudi Arabia reportedly using Canadian military trucks against its own civilians

The Canadian government is investigating reports that Saudi Arabia is using armoured vehicles made in Canada against its own civilians – allegations that have prompted renewed scrutiny over Ottawa’s recent decision to sign off on a billion-dollar arms deal with the kingdom.

October 23, 2015

Videos and photos posted on social media in recent days allegedly show Riyadh using Canadian equipment in a violent crackdown on minority Shia dissidents in eastern Saudi Arabia. Last week at least five people were killed as security forces flushed out suspected militants in the town of Awamiya.

Several sources told the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail that the vehicles being used appeared to be Gurkha RPVs made in Ontario by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles.

Canadian officials said they were deeply concerned by the reports. “We are looking at these claims very seriously … and have immediately launched a review,” Justin Trudeau told reporters.

June 13, 2017

In 2016, Saudi Arabia ranked among the largest importers of Canada-made military goods, purchasing more than C$142m worth of goods – nearly 20% of all Canadian military exports that year.

The ministry of global affairs said it was concerned over the escalating violence in eastern Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued last week, it highlighted the causalities among civilians and security forces and urged Riyadh to confront its security challenges in “a manner that abides by international human rights law”.

Days later, the ministry said the government was actively seeking more information about the reports of civilian casualties and claims that Canadian-made vehicles were involved. “If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action,” a spokesperson for department told the Guardian. He did not answer questions around what kinds of actions this could entail.

Terradyne Armoured Vehicles did not respond to a request for comment. (Source: The Guardian) 

 

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Thursday September 23, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday September 23, 2016 Trudeau says Canada has 'extremely highÊstandards' for extradition treaty with China Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will maintain high standards as it negotiates an extradition treaty with China, while critics raiseÊconcerns about that country's weak record on human rights. "Canada has extremely high standards on extradition treaties," Trudeau said to reporters at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. "We have a very, very rigorous process, that conforms with the expectations and values of Canadians, and that continues.Ó The LiberalsÊannounced last weekÊnegotiations have begun on a treaty that would allow the Chinese government to pursue someone onÊCanadian soil for crimes committed in China. The issue was raised Wednesday in Question Period, where Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose called Trudeau's approach "shockinglyÊnaive.Ó "Our allies like Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand don't have treaties of this type with China," Ambrose said. "The Chinese government has orchestrated thousands of cyberattacks against Canada and, according to CSIS and the RCMP, has sent foreignÊagents into Canada without our permission," she said.Ê "Canadians expect the prime minister to act in our national interest. What possible benefit to Canada would an extradition with China provide us?" Trudeau said his government has succeeded in resolving consular cases in China and in increasing access to the Chinese market after the "hotÊand cold" relationship with Beijing in the Harper years. "The benefit to Canada is having a high-level security dialogue where we can talk about issues that are important to us and issues that areÊimportant to the Chinese government," Trudeau said. "We continue to be strong in our values, in our principles and our expectations of anyone weÊengage with around the world."Ê Chinese Premier Li Kegiang arrived in Ottawa Wednesday afternoon, three week

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 23, 2016

Trudeau says Canada has ‘extremely high standards’ for extradition treaty with China

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will maintain high standards as it negotiates an extradition treaty with China, while critics raise concerns about that country’s weak record on human rights.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday August 30, 2016 Trudeau leaves on first official visit to China Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left for his first official visit to China, with both countries expressing hope they can improve their economic connection. Trudeau, who is accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and daughter Ella-Grace Margaret Trudeau, said last week that he hopes the visit will be a reset in the relationship between the two countries. Trudeau will be kept busy, with a host of business-related meetings during stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. HeÕll also attend the G20 leadersÕ summit in Hangzhou. The Chinese government moved last week to take the sting out of a potential irritant during the visit, the issue of human rights. ChinaÕs ambassador to Canada said in an interview with The Canadian Press that his country has made progress in addressing international concerns in recent years. Luo Zhaohui acknowledged China has a long way to go to further improve the situation. Trudeau has said he will continue voicing CanadaÕs human rights concerns to ChinaÕs leadership. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/29/trudeau-leaves-on-first-official-visit-to-china.html Canada, China, diplomacy, trade, human rights,ÊXi Jinping, suggestion, box, comments

 August 30, 2016

“Canada has extremely high standards on extradition treaties,” Trudeau said to reporters at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa.

“We have a very, very rigorous process, that conforms with the expectations and values of Canadians, and that continues.”

The Liberals announced last week negotiations have begun on a treaty that would allow the Chinese government to pursue someone on Canadian soil for crimes committed in China.

The issue was raised Wednesday in Question Period, where Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose called Trudeau’s approach “shockingly naive.”

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday September 2, 2016 Trudeau and Chinese premier explore possibleÊfree trade deal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has brought Canada closer to China after agreeing with the Chinese premier to deepen theÊcountriesÕ relationships Ñ and explore a possible free trade deal. After meeting with Trudeau, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters through a translator that Canada and China will launch aÊfeasibility study on an eventual free-trade deal. A senior Canadian official later said the two countries have ongoing technical discussions on free trade, but stressed that thereÊare no negotiations under way at this point. ÒThis year marks 45 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and China,Ó Trudeau said as he stood beside Li in BeijingÕsÊGreat Hall of the People, which overlooks Tiananmen Square. ÒMy father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, played an important role in establishing a partnership between our two countries when heÊwas prime minister. So, IÕm very happy to be extending that effort now.Ó The countries also agreed to hold annual meetings between the Chinese premier and the Canadian prime minister on a range ofÊissues, including national security and the rule of law. (Source: Toronto Star) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/31/trudeau-and-chinese-premier-explore-possible-free-trade-deal.html Canada, China, globalization, free, trade, employment, economics, diplomacy, propaganda

September 2, 2016

“Our allies like Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand don’t have treaties of this type with China,” Ambrose said.

“The Chinese government has orchestrated thousands of cyberattacks against Canada and, according to CSIS and the RCMP, has sent foreign agents into Canada without our permission,” she said.

“Canadians expect the prime minister to act in our national interest. What possible benefit to Canada would an extradition with China provide us?”

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday August 24, 2016 Locals outraged at OttawaÕs Òdeafening silenceÓ on steel industry Union leaders, Opposition MPs and even the Chamber of Commerce are pressing the federal government to help Canada's struggling steel industry. Two Hamilton Members of Parliament, three chambers of commerce and union leaders at the local and provincial levels separately have called for help for the industry and especially for retirees and workers in Hamilton. NDP MPs Scott Duvall (Hamilton Mountain)Êand Dave Christopherson (Hamilton Centre) have written to Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, saying the federal government has stayed on the sidelines too long. "To date, your government has not been tangibly involved in any way to help protect the jobs, benefits and pensions of current and former employees of USSC/Stelco despite commitments previously made by colleagues and the Prime Minister" they wrote. "Workers, pensioners, the business community and the City of Hamilton have all appealed for your help. So far, you and your government have been missing in action.Ó As a start, they want the government to release the "secret deal" that ended a lawsuit against U.S. Steel for breaking the production and employment promises it made to get government approval for the acquisition. They also back a call by the United Steelworkers union for a public inquiryÊinto Canadian bankruptcy law they say favours creditors at the expense of workers and retirees, and the 2007 takeover of Stelco by U.S. Steel. Duvall has raised the issue in ParliamentÊseveral times. U.S. Steel Canada, the former Stelco, has been under creditor protection since Sept. 16, 2014. It is seeking a buyer for the mills in Hamilton and Nanticoke. On the business front, chambers of commerce in Hamilton, Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie are taking a joint resolution to the Canadian chamber's national convention calling for a policy to protect the industry from unfair fo

August 24, 2016

Trudeau said his government has succeeded in resolving consular cases in China and in increasing access to the Chinese market after the “hot and cold” relationship with Beijing in the Harper years.

“The benefit to Canada is having a high-level security dialogue where we can talk about issues that are important to us and issues that are important to the Chinese government,” Trudeau said. “We continue to be strong in our values, in our principles and our expectations of anyone we engage with around the world.”

Chinese Premier Li Kegiang arrived in Ottawa Wednesday afternoon, three weeks after Trudeau visited China. The two are expected to talk about increased economic co-operation between the two countries, but human rights remain an issue. (Source: CBC News)

 

Tuesday August 30, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday August 30, 2016 Trudeau leaves on first official visit to China Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left for his first official visit to China, with both countries expressing hope they can improve their economic connection. Trudeau, who is accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and daughter Ella-Grace Margaret Trudeau, said last week that he hopes the visit will be a reset in the relationship between the two countries. Trudeau will be kept busy, with a host of business-related meetings during stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. HeÕll also attend the G20 leadersÕ summit in Hangzhou. The Chinese government moved last week to take the sting out of a potential irritant during the visit, the issue of human rights. ChinaÕs ambassador to Canada said in an interview with The Canadian Press that his country has made progress in addressing international concerns in recent years. Luo Zhaohui acknowledged China has a long way to go to further improve the situation. Trudeau has said he will continue voicing CanadaÕs human rights concerns to ChinaÕs leadership. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/29/trudeau-leaves-on-first-official-visit-to-china.html Canada, China, diplomacy, trade, human rights,ÊXi Jinping, suggestion, box, comments

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 30, 2016

Trudeau leaves on first official visit to China

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left for his first official visit to China, with both countries expressing hope they can improve their economic connection.

Trudeau, who is accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and daughter Ella-Grace Margaret Trudeau, said last week that he hopes the visit will be a reset in the relationship between the two countries.

Trudeau will be kept busy, with a host of business-related meetings during stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

He’ll also attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Hangzhou.

The Chinese government moved last week to take the sting out of a potential irritant during the visit, the issue of human rights.

China’s ambassador to Canada said in an interview with The Canadian Press that his country has made progress in addressing international concerns in recent years.

Luo Zhaohui acknowledged China has a long way to go to further improve the situation.

Trudeau has said he will continue voicing Canada’s human rights concerns to China’s leadership. (Source: Toronto Star)

2016-08-30tearsheet

Thursday May 19, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday May 19, 2016 Some Conservatives now ready to support bill on transgender rights When C-279, the private member's bill that would have added gender identity to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, came before the House of Commons for a vote in 2013, Conservative MPs Rona Ambrose and Tony Clement voted against it. This time around, Ambrose and Clement say they will be voting in favour when the Liberal government's bill to add gender identity to the human rights act and the code, C-16, comes before the House for a vote. Neither vote is likely to be crucial to the bill's success: with Liberal and NDP support, the bill should pass the House of Commons comfortably. But they could mark a change of opinion that might still be significant. Clement pointed to the influence he takes from his three children. "I have three children, ages 24, 22 and 18. They span the political spectrum but in their generation this is a foregone issue," he said. "They don't even understand why this would be debated.Ó He also says it makes sense that transgender Canadians should be included among those who have their rights acknowledged. While Liberals, New Democrats and 18 Conservatives supported the bill tabled by NDP Randall Garrison, Conservatives accounted for all of the 137 votes opposed. Clement says that in 2013, the advice to Conservatives from the Justice Department was that the bill was unnecessary because gender identity was already covered by the law. Ambrose and Clement follow Conservative MP David Tilson who told CBC News on Monday that his view had changed since voting against C-279 in 2013. That change of opinion is not unanimous. Conservative Senator Don Plett, who opposed C-279 and moved amendments that excluded areas such as bathrooms from the bill's provisions, told reporters on Tuesday that his position has not changed. "You know my feeling on transgender rights," he said. "They hav

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 19, 2016

Some Conservatives now ready to support bill on transgender rights

When C-279, the private member’s bill that would have added gender identity to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, came before the House of Commons for a vote in 2013, Conservative MPs Rona Ambrose and Tony Clement voted against it.

This time around, Ambrose and Clement say they will be voting in favour when the Liberal government’s bill to add gender identity to the human rights act and the code, C-16, comes before the House for a vote.

Neither vote is likely to be crucial to the bill’s success: with Liberal and NDP support, the bill should pass the House of Commons comfortably. But they could mark a change of opinion that might still be significant.

 

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Clement pointed to the influence he takes from his three children. “I have three children, ages 24, 22 and 18. They span the political spectrum but in their generation this is a foregone issue,” he said. “They don’t even understand why this would be debated.”

He also says it makes sense that transgender Canadians should be included among those who have their rights acknowledged.

While Liberals, New Democrats and 18 Conservatives supported the bill tabled by NDP Randall Garrison, Conservatives accounted for all of the 137 votes opposed. Clement says that in 2013, the advice to Conservatives from the Justice Department was that the bill was unnecessary because gender identity was already covered by the law.

Ambrose and Clement follow Conservative MP David Tilson who told CBC News on Monday that his view had changed since voting against C-279 in 2013.

That change of opinion is not unanimous.

Conservative Senator Don Plett, who opposed C-279 and moved amendments that excluded areas such as bathrooms from the bill’s provisions, told reporters on Tuesday that his position has not changed. “You know my feeling on transgender rights,” he said. “They haven’t changed since the last time I spoke about it … They probably will not change.”

Two Conservative senators who supported Plett’s amendments, Denise Batters and Paul McIntyre, said Tuesday that they would be reviewing the legislation.

Those votes may matter more so. Plett is still a member of the Senate’s legal and constitutional affairs committee and while the Liberals have a majority in the House, Conservatives have a plurality in the Senate. (Source: CBC News)

 

Friday May 13, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday May 13, 2016 Canada must Ôstick to its wordÕ on Saudi arms deal, Trudeau says Canada is obliged to uphold its reputation for honouring business deals and therefore must sell $15-billion of armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday when asked about video footage that shows the Saudis using similar machines against civilians in the Mideast country. ÒWe need to be able to project [to] the world that when Canada agrees to something, it sticks to its word,Ó the Liberal Prime Minister told MPs in the Commons. Footage published by The Globe and Mail on Wednesday shows armoured vehicles being used against minority Shia Muslim dissidents. Copies of the videos, which date from 2012 and 2015, were supplied by Saudi human-rights activists who want Canada to suspend shipments of combat vehicles to Riyadh. The combat vehicles in the videos are not Canadian-made, but they demonstrate the regimeÕs inclination to use such military assets against its own people in a region that is very difficult for Canada to monitor. It also casts doubt on the Liberal governmentÕs assurances that the massive arms sale to Saudi Arabia presents no risks for the countryÕs civilians. Asked by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair whether he believes the videos show violations of human rights by the Saudis, Mr. Trudeau said Canada cannot renege on this deal with Saudi Arabia. ÒWe need to make sure we are respected on the world stage by keeping our word,Ó he said. The deal for the armoured vehicles, which will be equipped with machine guns and anti-tank cannons, was secured by the former Conservative government. The Liberals, however, gave the green light for shipments to proceed when Foreign Affairs Minister StŽphane Dion issued export permits in early April for the bulk of the $15-billion contract. (Source: Globe & Mail) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-must-stick-to-its-word-on-saudi-arms-deal-tru

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 13, 2016

Canada must ‘stick to its word’ on Saudi arms deal, Trudeau says

Canada is obliged to uphold its reputation for honouring business deals and therefore must sell $15-billion of armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday when asked about video footage that shows the Saudis using similar machines against civilians in the Mideast country.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday January 6, 2016 Canada stands by $15B Saudi arms deal after executions A $15-billion contract signed under the previous government to supply Saudi Arabia with light-armoured military vehicles won't be revisited after the execution of dozens of prisoners in that country, the foreign minister says. Sheik Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric, was one of 47 prisoners recently executed by Saudi Arabia. "We have said during the campaign Ñ the prime minister has been very clear Ñ that we will not cancel this contract or contracts that have been done under the previous government in general," StŽphane Dion said Tuesday in an interview with Rosemary Barton on CBC's Power and Politics. "We'll review the process by which these contracts are assessed in the future. But what is done is done and the contract is not something that we'll revisit," Dion said. Since the Shia cleric's execution, a diplomatic row between Iran and Saudi Arabia has escalated. Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, predicted "divine vengeance" for the execution. Dion condemned the executions and the subsequent violence in Tehran directed at the Saudi embassy. He said Canada could play a more robust role in easing tensions between the two powers if it had a diplomatic relationship with Iran, despite its questionable record. "The fact that Canada is not in Tehran is helping nobody. It's not helping the population of Iran, it's not helping Saudi Arabia, it's not helping Israel Ñ so we need to engage Iran in trying to be positive in the region," the foreign minister said. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephane-dion-saudi-arms-deal-1.3390854 Canada, Iran, Saudi, Arabia, Sunni, Shia, Justin Trudeau, Sunny, ways, diplomacy

January 6, 2016

“We need to be able to project [to] the world that when Canada agrees to something, it sticks to its word,” the Liberal Prime Minister told MPs in the Commons.

Footage published by The Globe and Mail on Wednesday shows armoured vehicles being used against minority Shia Muslim dissidents. Copies of the videos, which date from 2012 and 2015, were supplied by Saudi human-rights activists who want Canada to suspend shipments of combat vehicles to Riyadh.

The combat vehicles in the videos are not Canadian-made, but they demonstrate the regime’s inclination to use such military assets against its own people in a region that is very difficult for Canada to monitor. It also casts doubt on the Liberal government’s assurances that the massive arms sale to Saudi Arabia presents no risks for the country’s civilians.

Asked by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair whether he believes the videos show violations of human rights by the Saudis, Mr. Trudeau said Canada cannot renege on this deal with Saudi Arabia.

“We need to make sure we are respected on the world stage by keeping our word,” he said.

The deal for the armoured vehicles, which will be equipped with machine guns and anti-tank cannons, was secured by the former Conservative government.

The Liberals, however, gave the green light for shipments to proceed when Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion issued export permits in early April for the bulk of the $15-billion contract. (Source: Globe & Mail)