The French president’s recent statement on China ought to embarrass the NDP’s foreign affairs critic. But with the US empire’s perspective dominating Canadian media it’s unlikely. On a visit to Beijing Emmanuel Macron said Europe should distance itself from US-Chinese tensions over Taiwan. Calling for Europe to avoid being drawn into “block-to-block logic” or becoming... Continue Reading →
If Lula can call for peace in Ukraine, why not Canada’s left?
Is Lula a pro-Russian “tankie”? Should the Canadian left echo or marginalize his outlook on Ukraine? Last week Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on the US and other countries to “stop supplyingweapons and encouraging war” in Ukraine. He said, “the United States needs to stop encouraging war and start talking about peace;... Continue Reading →
Why does NDP support US neocons’ position on China?
Does the NDP want war with China? Party officials would deny it, but they are promoting measures that increase the likelihood of an apocalyptic conflict. In recent weeks the NDP has jumped on the ‘China interference’ bandwagon. In dozens of statements Jagmeet Singh, Heather McPherson, Peter Julian, Alexandre Boulerice and other party officials have hyped... Continue Reading →
Where are voices for peace in Parliament?
Canada is calling for “regime change” in Russia in a new escalation of the NATO proxy war. During a press conference on Friday foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly said, “we’re able to see how much we’re isolating the Russian regime right now — because we need to do so economically, politically and diplomatically — and... Continue Reading →
Hey NDP, better no foreign critic than one backing US Empire
Would the world be better off if the NDP didn’t have a foreign affairs critic? I began thinking about this question after seeing a recent tweet from Heather McPherson calling on the Liberals and Conservatives to get tough on Iran. As the third national party the supposedly social democratic federal NDP rarely criticizes the Justin... Continue Reading →
Time to use words of B’Tselem – ‘A regime of Jewish supremacy’
NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson recently published a statement critical of the aggressively racist new Israeli government. It decried “rising anti-Semitism” but ignored Jewish supremacy. But this is how B’Tselem described Israel in a landmark report two years ago: “A regime of Jewish supremacy between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea: this is... Continue Reading →
NDP condemns only one of three Latin America coup attempts
It’s good Jagmeet Singh and Heather McPherson criticized the failed 'Bolsonarista' coup in Brazil. It would be better if they also challenged the Liberals’ support for overthrowing governments in Peru and Venezuela. After Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau and a slew of global leaders expressed opposition to the rightist mob that ransacked Brazil’s presidential palace,... Continue Reading →
Understanding the NDP’s Palestine policy
From refusing to mention “Palestinians” to being labeled “dangerous to Jews” for supporting their cause Jagmeet Singh has undergone a remarkable turnaround. The shift over the past 18 months has been propelled by internal party organizing, outside leftist criticism, growing Palestine solidarity and cynical party calculations. On August 26 Singh emailed a small number of... Continue Reading →
It’s not ‘progressive’ to label pacifists ‘Putin stooges’
Promoting a proxy war with Russia isn’t progressive and it’s time to challenge leftists supporting NATO’s dangerous escalation in Ukraine. Last week two protesters interrupted Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ town hall to denounce her support for Washington’s proxy conflict with Russia. “You voted to send arms and weapons to Ukraine,” yelled Jose Varga. “You’re voting... Continue Reading →
NDP must withdraw from Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group
When challenging power, it’s imperative to celebrate victories. But it’s also important to understand the political dance is often two steps forward, one step back. In a victory for thousands of party activists, Jagmeet Singh recently released a statement that sharpened the New Democratic Party’s critique of Canada’s contribution to Palestinian dispossession. The NDP leader’s... Continue Reading →
Supporters of Palestinian rights should praise NDP’s dramatic policy shift
Has a leading Canadian politician ever shifted so dramatically on a major policy issue? Eighteen months ago, Jagmeet Singh refused to utter the word “Palestine” but on Aug. 26 he sent out an email announcing the New Democrats’ position on Israel. It says, “We believe Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories is at the... Continue Reading →
Peace-minded Canadians deserve a voice in Parliament
NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson’s promotion of NATO and opposition to diplomacy is prolonging the horrors in Ukraine. On Monday McPherson attacked the Liberals for acceding to Germany’s request to allow Siemens’ to return turbines that were repaired at its facilities in Montréal. "It is shocking and disappointing that the Liberal government has decided... Continue Reading →
Where’s outrage about antisemitism at pro-Israel rally?
Flagrant antisemitism at a rally attended by leading politicians has been ignored because the targets of the racist attack stood with the oppressed in Israel. At United Jewish Appeal Toronto’s May 29 Walk with Israel a group of Israel flag-waving individuals crossed the street to berate a half dozen Hasidic Jews holding a Palestinian flag. One woman... Continue Reading →
Public supporters of Israel should expect to be criticized
Liberal MP Ya’ara Saks is claiming to have been the victim of “hate” when young people yelled “stop supporting killing of Palestinians”. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Canada and B’nai B’rith, as well as NDP MPs, amplified her hypocritical claims on Twitter. A self-described “unapologetic Zionist”, Saks recently... Continue Reading →
NDP policy on Palestine much improved
Over the past year the NDP’s Palestine policy has dramatically improved. It could portend a decisive break from the social democratic party’s anti-Palestinian history. Recently NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson sent a letter to foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly on “Canada’s position on Israel–Palestine”. The accompanying tweet read: “The NDP will fight for the... Continue Reading →
NDP onboard with Cons, Liberals in warmongering over Ukraine
Canada’s “left wing” party is openly opposed to negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. In “Feds must do more to support Ukraine, say experts, Ukrainians, opposition MPs” NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson repeats the party’s call to send more weapons to fight Russia and suggests the NDP formally opposes negotiations. The Monday... Continue Reading →
NDP fails those who want peaceful solutions to conflict
All those who would like to support a political party working for peaceful solutions to military conflicts are being driven away from the New Democratic Party. Instead of advocating for diplomacy, the NDP has long pressed for conflict with Russia. They’ve consistently supported measures that escalate tensions in Ukraine and have prodded the government to... Continue Reading →
As for NATO all parties agree — follow orders without question
NATO’s proponents often claim it’s a democratic force but in Canada’s case the alliance highlights the hollowness of our democracy. A healthy polity requires vigorous debate on important issues, but no major party opposes this country’s most significant and destructive military/foreign policy alliance. In fact, the NDP leadership has gone to great lengths to block... Continue Reading →
Let us count the ways Canada supports Israel’s crimes
One of the most disingenuous arguments made by Canadian apologists for Israeli crimes is that it is irrelevant what transpires here. If they genuinely believed this why seek to squash support for Palestinians? In fact, the Zionist colonization/Palestine liberation struggle plays out daily in Canadian bookstores, schools, media, diplomacy and elsewhere. But the forces... Continue Reading →
Eight suggestions for new NDP foreign affairs critic
As Heather McPherson settles in as new NDP foreign affairs critic here are some suggestions on how to pressure the government to improve Canadian foreign policy. Call on the Trudeau government to withdraw public support from mining companies responsible for significant abuses abroad. Call on the Liberals to immediately withdraw from the Lima Group.... Continue Reading →
You must be logged in to post a comment.