To the sound of crickets chirping from opposition benches Justin Trudeau’s government has once again isolated Canada on Palestinian rights. But, recent developments suggest this shameful chapter in Canadian diplomacy is past its political best before date. On November 21 Canada joined the US, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau in... Continue Reading →
Canada opposed Cuba’s key role in ending apartheid
Did Canada lead the international charge against apartheid and white rule in South Africa or criticize a country that, in fact, did? Recent commentary about Canada’s policy towards southern Africa’s liberation struggles distorts history that should inform debate over Canada’s planned military deployment to the continent today. A Globe and Mail article last month described “Canada’s strong support... Continue Reading →
Greens stand firm in face of Israeli bullying
In a major self-inflicted wound, Israeli nationalist groups recently turned support for a BDS motion targeting Israel's occupation into overwhelming approval. In addition, the resolution also demanded action to address the plight of Palestinian refugees and Palestinian citizens of Israel. In a further bizarre twist, Elizabeth May and others within the Green Party leadership have... Continue Reading →
Liberals isolate Canada as a result of blind support for Israel
How can you identify a Canadian Liberal? They talk to the left, but walk to the right. Under Justin Trudeau, "Canada is back" to isolating itself from world opinion on Palestinian rights. On Monday Canada joined the US, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau in opposing a UN Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee... Continue Reading →
A day to remember
Remember. Remember that today marks the culmination of a militarist, nationalist ritual organized by a reactionary state-backed group. Every year the Royal Canadian Legion sells about 20 million red poppies in the lead-up to Remembrance Day. Remember that red poppies were inspired by the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian army officer John McCrae.... Continue Reading →
Mainstream media finally reveals truth about Rwanda’s dictator
It was a tough week for Romeo Dallaire, Louise Arbour, Gerald Caplan and other liberal Canadian cheerleaders of Africa’s most bloodstained dictator. Last Tuesday’s Globe and Mail described two secret reports documenting Paul Kagame’s “direct involvement in the 1994 missile attack that killed former president Juvénal Habyarimana, leading to the genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people... Continue Reading →
Israeli apologists blinded by ‘Zionist religion’
Israel apologists often complain about leftists “singling Israel out” or “obsessing” over the country, inferring a motivation of anti-Semitism. Putting aside the obvious truth that “obsessing” over the plight of an oppressed people ought to be considered a compliment and campaigning on any issue amounts to “singling” it out, the accusation often represents what a Freudian analyst would... Continue Reading →
Mining the leaders’ debate
The Liberal, NDP and Conservative leaders are set to debate Canada's role in the world at an event put on by Munk Debates, an organization named after and financed by a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in mining. It will be interesting, therefore, to see if mining as a topic is given much, if... Continue Reading →
Will Canada’s love affair with Israel last?
Pro-Israel lobbyists have had it good in Canada. The outgoing government is wildly supportive and the "Left" party recently purged a number of candidates for publicly expressing pro-Palestinian sympathies. But the election this fall may turn out to be zenith of Israeli influence. Stephen Harper's pro-Israelism is legend. At the General Assembly this week, Canadian... Continue Reading →
Canada’s contribution to mass murder and torture in Kenya
Over the weekend a memorial was unveiled to victims of British colonial violence in Kenya. Paid for by London, the monument in Nairobi grew out of London’s 2013 apology to the Mau Mau, which included some compensation to 5000 victims of British policy who pursued London court. Britain’s small step towards atoning for its colonial... Continue Reading →
Canada in Africa book tour begins this week
Stephen Harper is not The Problem but getting rid of him is a necessary first step in changing Canada’s militaristic, pro-corporate international posture that focuses on what’s best for business rather than helping the world’s poorest. This will be one of the messages during a 20-city pre-election tour for the just-released Canada in Africa: 300... Continue Reading →
Corporate profits the point of Harper’s Africa policy
Despite rhetoric about providing aid to the poorest, the Harper Conservatives have worked assiduously to ensure that Canadian corporations profit from Africa’s vast mineral resources, rather than the continent’s people. Even widespread criticism of their operations has failed to dampen the Conservatives’ support for Canada’s many mining interests in Africa. Canadian mining companies have been... Continue Reading →
Canadian crimes against humanity in Africa
Should Africans pursue Stephen Harper for crimes against humanity? The Africa Progress Report 2015 suggests they may have a solid moral, if not necessarily legal, case. Led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Africa Progress Panel highlights Canada and Australia as two countries that “have withdrawn entirely from constructive international engagement on climate.”... Continue Reading →
Conservatives promote Canada as arms dealer
Psst. Looking for arms? Guns, ammunition, high tech supplies, armoured vehicles, and more, all quality Canadian made. Background check? We can get around that. Not democratic? No worries. Tools of repression? Sounds good to us. Stephen Harper's Conservatives are working to expand Canadian arms exports and the focus is Middle Eastern monarchies entangled in a... Continue Reading →
Supporting ‘terror tourism’ to Israel gets Canadian tax credits
When is a Canadian who leaves this country to join a foreign military force and participate in the killing of innocent civilians, including children, called a “terror tourist” and sent to jail? The answer is: Only when that person joins a military force the Conservative government disagrees with. Numerous ministers in the current federal government... Continue Reading →
Canadian arms sale promotes misogyny, royal repression
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper claims to take "strong, principled positions in our dealings with other nations, whether popular or not." But, even the most ardent Conservative supporters must wonder what principled position is behind the recent government-sponsored arms deal with Saudi Arabia that will send over $10 billion worth of Light Armoured Vehicles to... Continue Reading →
New book provides real understanding of Rwandan tragedy
The Rwandan genocide -- think you know the story? Deep-seated ethic enmity erupted in a 100-day genocidal rampage by Hutus killing Tutsis, which was only stopped by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). A noble Canadian general tried to end the bloodletting but a dysfunctional UN refused resources. Washington was caught off guard by the slaughter,... Continue Reading →
Why did Canada help overthrow Haiti’s government?
This is the last in a four part series leading up to the 10th anniversary of the February 29 2004 overthrow of Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s government in Haiti. Why did Canada help overthrow Haiti’s elected government? That’s a question I heard over and over when speaking about Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority,... Continue Reading →
The Haiti occupation continues
Those who forget the past are often condemned to repeat its mistakes. On February 29, 2004 the US, France and Canada overthrew Haiti’s elected government. The foreign military intervention led to an unmitigated human rights disaster. In the three weeks after the coup at least 1,000 bodies were buried in a mass grave by the... Continue Reading →
Canadian foreign policy is to promote corporate greed
Should the primary purpose of Canadian foreign policy be the promotion of corporate interests? Canada’s business class certainly seems to think so. And with little political or ideological opposition to this naked self-interest, Harper’s Conservatives seem only too happy to put the full weight of government behind the promotion of private profits. Recently, the Conservatives... Continue Reading →
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