house of commons to vote on war resisters tuesday june 3

Yesterday's debate in Parliament is now available online.

We were glued to the TV set all morning - including, for a while, placing the phone in front of the speaker so Campaigners en route to Ottawa could listen! It was thrilling to hear our issue take front and centre stage, to see MPs standing up and reading the words of the war resisters in Parliament.

It was a little anti-climactic when the vote wasn't called, but we'll only have to chew our fingernails a few more days. Tuesday afternoon, June 3, the House of Commons will vote on the motion to allow US war resisters to remain in Canada.

Once again, the motion reads:
The Committee recommends that the government immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and do not have a criminal record, to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

Things are looking good, but our fight is not yet over. With your help, we have gotten this far; now we're asking for a little more, so we can push this through.

Today, Monday and Tuesday, please add two phone calls to your to-do list: Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.

As wmtc commenters have pointed out, these phone calls are not scary or time-consuming. Someone will answer the phone, you'll tell them why you're calling, say thanks and hang up. You may even speak to voice mail; that works, too. It will take less than a minute per phone call. But it may make a big difference in the lives of many people. It's a concrete action you can take to stand for peace.

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley
phone 613.996.4974
fax 613.996.9749
email finley.d@parl.gc.ca

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
phone 613.992.4211
fax 613.941.6900
email pm@pm.gc.ca

The them you want the Government of Canada to:
  • rescind the deportation order against US war resister Corey Glass, and immediately cease all deportation proceedings against all war resisters
  • support the motion to allow Iraq war resisters to remain in Canada, and
  • support the will of the Canadian people, and not the US's war agenda.

    You can also call your own MP with the same message. No matter what their party, they should hear from you.

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