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MEDIA RELEASE
June 3, 2008
House
of Commons votes to let U.S. War Resisters stay in Canada
The
Opposition parties in the House of Commons joined together today to adopt a recommendation
which, if implemented, would make it possible for U.S. Iraq War resisters to obtain
Permanent Resident status in Canada.
The recommendation was adopted by a majority
of Members of Parliament from the Liberal, Bloc Québécois, and New
Democratic Parties. The Conservatives voted against the motion.
The motion,
which originated in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and
Immigration in December 2007, calls on the government to "immediately implement
a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members...to
apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and...the government
should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions...against such individuals."
Corey Glass, 25, a war resister who came to Canada in 2006 and was recently told
to leave Canada by June 12 or face removal to the United States, welcomed the
vote. "I'm thankful that the MPs voted to let me and the other war resisters
stay in Canada. I'm also thankful to all the Canadians who urged their MPs to
support us."
"This is a great victory for the courageous men and
women who have come to Canada because they refuse to take part in the illegal,
immoral Iraq War, and for the many organizations and individuals who have supported
this campaign over the past four years," said Lee Zaslofsky, Coordinator
of the War Resisters Support Campaign and a Vietnam War deserter who came to Canada
in 1970. The
War Resisters Support Campaign is calling on the Conservative government to respect
the democratic decision of the Canadian Parliament and immediately implement the
motion and cease deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and other war resisters. For
further information: Michelle Robidoux, (416) 856-5008; Lee Zaslofsky, (416) 598-1222
or (415) 369-0864 |
