Canadian Author and Activist
This week Jagmeet Singh attended a reception to promote a state Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN Special Rapporteur have all recently accused of committing the crime of apartheid. Even worse, the event was designed to celebrate an odious accord Donald Trump signed to recognize Moroccan colonialism in exchange for Rabat establishing diplomatic... Continue Reading →
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 →
Strange that a member of the NDP executive would echo an anti-Palestinian group’s attacks against the party. Weirder still, this executive who disparaged Jagmeet Singh for taking action on Palestine and attacked those saying Israel practices apartheid, has made similar claims in the past. In one of a half-dozen tweets, Ryan Painter shared a recent... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Do you understand just how racist and colonial the NDP’s foreign policy seems to many? The party’s apparent racism is on display in its response to widely covered issues such as China and those largely ignored like Haiti. During the federal election campaign in October Jagmeet Singh said Canada should seek to join AUKUS, the... Continue Reading →
At the English language election debate Conservative leader Erin O’Toole claimed Canada “led the fight against apartheid” in South Africa. The absurd statement has gone largely uncontested, reflecting a racist, mythologized, view of Canada’s place in the world. Does anyone believe that Canada was a stronger opponent of White minority rule in South Africa than... Continue Reading →
Why does the NDP defence critic promote militarism and anti-Palestinian racism? Shouldn’t all critics promote their party’s policies? And if they don’t, what should the party leader do? Randall Garrison complained to the Hill Times that the government’s recent budget didn’t devote enough to the military. In “Opposition MPs say they’re worried about lack of... Continue Reading →
On Saturday New Democratic Party members delivered a victory for Palestinian rights and a blow to the Israel lobby in Canada. Over 80% of convention delegates voted for a resolution calling for “Ending all trade and economic cooperation with illegal settlements in Israel-Palestine” and “Suspending the bilateral trade of all arms and related materials... Continue Reading →
At the upcoming NDP convention the social democratic party’s members should have the opportunity to vote on two widely endorsed pro-Palestinian resolutions. But Canada’s pro-Israel lobby groups are pressuring the party leadership to suppress debate regarding a resolution critical of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) anti-Palestinian working definition of antisemitism. They want to suppress... Continue Reading →
Last week I interrupted Jagmeet Singh at a public event to criticize the NDP’s suppression of Palestine solidarity activism. Holding a placard with the words “Jagmeet, Palestinian Lives Matter”, I demanded the NDP leader apologize for overturning the vote of members who elected Rana Zaman to represent the Dartmouth-Cole Harbour ridding because she defended Palestinians... Continue Reading →
One side is playing for keeps. They oust elected representatives and block members from voting on efforts to challenge a brutal occupation. On the other side, members defending a morally righteous cause twist themselves in knots to avoid directly criticizing nakedly authoritarian party leaders. Recently, the NDP national office overturned the vote of party members... Continue Reading →
US presidents have bombed or invaded places like Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Sudan to distract from domestic scandals or to gain a quick boost in popularity. But, do Canadian politicians also pursue regime change abroad to be cheered on by the dominant media as decisive leaders? In a discussion on regime change in Venezuela after... Continue Reading →
What should the leader of Canada’s left wing party say about what’s happening in Venezuela? Here are a few suggestions: “Canada should respect international law in its dealings with Venezuela.” Or, “Canada shouldn’t select the president of Venezuela.” How about, “The US has a long history of overthrowing governments in Latin America and Canada should... Continue Reading →
Do New Democrat MPs who belong to the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CIIG) have carte blanche to flout party policy? Last week CIIG executive member Murray Rankin participated in a press conference calling for a new round of Canadian sanctions on Iran. The Victoria MP joined CIIG chair Michael Levitt, vice-chair David Sweet and executive member Anthony... Continue Reading →
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