Critic Responsibilities

MARSTON CONDEMNS GOVERNMENTS' FREE TRADE PLANS WITH COLOMBIA

OTTAWA – In Toronto for the Ontario Federation of Labour Convention and a rally to oppose the proposed Canada-Colombia free trade agreement, Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) condemned the trade agreement that has no plan to deal with the human rights crisis in Colombia.

“Harper’s Governments rush to beat others to Colombia, including George Bush, puts Canada’s reputation as a leader in human rights advocacy in jeopardy. The people of Colombia were hoping that Canada would use its influence to help them in their struggle for human rights,” said Marston in his address to the OFL.

The Harper government has been fast-tracking trade negotiations with the Colombian government in spite of the fact that the U.S. Congress has blocked a similar initiative put forward by George W. Bush. Indigenous peoples, Afro-Colombians, human rights activists, journalists and trade unionists struggling to rebuild their communities in Colombia are afraid that a Canadian deal with Columbia could be used by the Republicans as a precedent for the ratification of their proposed initiative, which similarly ignores human rights issues.

An NDP motion in the International Trade committee recommending that negotiations be halted to develop a framework for a Human Rights Impact Assessment prior to signing a trade agreement failed due to lack of support from Liberal and Conservative members of the committee.

“In the last 5 years, extrajudicial killings in Colombia have doubled. The Government is embroiled in a scandal where over 40 members of Congress and the Presidents own cousin and Senator are under investigation for connections to para-military groups.” commented Marston.

“Harpers’ governments’ response to the issue of serious human rights concerns is weak and embarrassing. Canada is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council and we should be leading by example and setting the precedent to make sure that human rights are a leading concern in trade agreements, not something that is swept under the table in the hopes that it goes away.”

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MARSTON CALLS FOR PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON CONSERVATIVES DEATH PENALTY POLICY

Ottawa – In Ottawa, Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) and the NDP’s Human Rights Critic, made the following statement on the Conservatives death penalty policy:

“It is time for the Conservative government to be open and honest. It is time for them to bring forward their policy on the death penalty and put it to a vote in the House of Commons.

Recently, Prime Minister Harper’s government has executed an about face on the issue by withdrawing its’ application for clemency in the case of Ronald Allen Smith and quitting its responsibility as co-sponsor for the motion at the United Nations General Assembly on worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

The governments refusal to seek clemency for a Canadian on death row is immoral and wrong. We decided here in Canada a long time ago that the state does not have the right to kill, no matter what the crime.

That principle does not stop at the border.

A recent poll suggests that 50% of Canadians are opposed to the Conservatives position. It is time for this Government to bring the policy forward so that all Canadians know exactly where they stand and Parliament must have a say on this important issue.”

Statement on October being Islamic History Month

“Assalam-O-Alaikum.

“We are greatly disappointment that Parliament did not unanimously consent to declare October as Islamic History Month. The NDP was excited and looking forward to dedicating this month to the celebration of your faith.

“Islamic History Month is yet another example of how Canada must embrace diversity and multiculturalism. We need to continue to strive to learn more from each other and build on making Canada a more tolerant and accepting country.

“Despite not being recognized nationally, we still congratulate the progressive community members of Port Coquitlam for being the first city to proclaim October 2007 as Islamic History Month in Canada. Because of their forward-thinking, other cities, such as Kingston, Calgary and Ottawa have also officially proclaimed October 2007 as Islamic History Month.

“As you celebrate this momentous month in your communities, focusing on your beautiful faith, history, culture and heritage, the NDP also extends warm wishes that you had a wonderful Eid al-Fitr with your family, friends and community.”

Jack Layton, NDP Leader
Wayne Marston, Critic for Multiculturalism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE TO NEW MINISTER: STAND UP AGAINST INJUSTICE
NDP re-states demands for an apology for the “comfort women” of WWII

OTTAWA – NDP critic for Human Rights Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) wants the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier to start his mandate by addressing the injustice committed against the “comfort women” of China, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, and urge the Japanese government to issue a formal apology to them.

“Bernier has to take up this issue and act immediately,” said Marston. “Sadly, his predecessor did not fulfil Canada’s obligation to stand up and demand a proper apology as well as financial compensation for the years of sexual abuse and torture those women endured. They have waited too long – it’s time the Conservatives address this issue instead of ignoring it.”

At least 200,000 women were lured from their homes and forced to work as prostitutes for the Japanese military during WWII. Japan has never issued a formal apology nor provided official redress to the women.

“Since early spring, I have been working very hard on the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development, petitioning Harper to urge the Japanese government to officially recognize and apologize for this situation,” said Marston.

On March 23rd 2007, a motion was submitted by the NDP calling on the Foreign Affairs Committee to recommend that Canada call for an official apology and redress. The motion was referred back for further study but nothing has come out of it.

“By not addressing this issue, we are denying history and therefore denying justice,” stated Marston. “Harper should have moved on this issue a long time ago, and the NDP will persist in order to obtain an apology for this grave injustice. We hope that Bernier will do the right thing and make this a top priority when he starts his new job.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIME TO STAND UP FOR COMFORT WOMEN: NDP
NDP urges Conservatives to follow the lead from US resolution

OTTAWA –The NDP critic for Human Rights called on the Conservative government to follow the lead from the US House of Representatives and approve a resolution to call on the Japanese Prime Minister to acknowledge, apologize and appropriately compensate the Korean, Chinese and Filipino women who were forced into prostitution during WWII.

NDP MP Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) stated, “We must act in accordance with the principles of defending human rights that ordinary Canadians believe in. Around 200,000 women were lured from their homes in neighboring countries and forced to work as prostitutes for the Japanese military. Japan should officially apologize and compensate these women and Canada should be urging them to do so.”

No formal apology or redress has been delivered and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made disturbing comments in recent months about their situation. In April, Marston introduced a motion at the sub-committee on International Human Rights asking the Conservative government to urge the Japanese to officially apologize and provide compensation. Although the sub-committee passed that motion, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs sent it back for further study.

“Women’s organizations, representatives of the affected communities and the NDP have pushed for such action by Parliament but have had difficulty securing support for inexplicable reasons,” charged NDP MP Olivia Chow (Trinity Spadina), who authored a parallel motion on comfort women that is currently before the House of Commons. “Until truth is named, reconciliation cannot be achieved,” she said.

“If the U.S. House of Representatives can pass a resolution calling for an official apology, this Government should follow that lead and the NDP motion should be approved as soon as Parliament resumes, so that Canada can join other nations in urging the Japanese Government to do what is right,” said Marston. “History denied is justice denied – Canada should have moved on this issue a long time ago.”

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Marston introduces motion calling on re-dress for Italian-Canadians mis-treated during WW2 in Canada

Close to 5% of Canada's population considers themselves to be of Italian descent - Italian-Canadians are the 6th largest ethnic group in our country. In my riding of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek, the community of Stoney Creek is considered home to one of Canada's largest Italian "districts".

Immigration to Canada from Italy began when North America was first visited and explored by Europeans, a notable number of the earliest explorers were Italian like John Cabot: Giovanni Caboto. The early twentieth century saw nearly 100,000 Italians emigrate to Canada although this was largely stopped by WW1 and new immigration laws in the 1920's.

Italian Canadians made homes, started businesses, funded schools, and built industries. As a result of the political situation back in Italy with the rise of fascism, many Italian-Canadians were scrutinized and questioned and in too many cases, discriminated against, because of their heritage. Although Italian-Canadians as a whole avoided internment during WW2, unlike say Japanese-Canadians, there were many who were stopped on suspicion, often false, of pro-Fascist or pro-Mussolini activities and interred during WW2.

I've spoken with many people in our community about this issue and have also raised it with the Secretary of State for Canadian Identity and Multiculturalism in person. On June 20th, I introduced a motion (attached below) to the House of Commons that would seek to recognize the contribution of Italian-Canadians, urges a formal apology from the Government of Canada and restitution to those who were falsely interred or mis-treated during WW2 and finally, would seek to promote programs of education and remembrance about this chapter in Canadian history.

Updates on the motion and its' progress will be posted here as they are available.

In June 2007, I sent the document linked below because I wanted to be in touch on a couple of important issues like the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) being negotiated between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico and highlight some of the community events and work that was going on at the time.

Excerpt from Subcommittee on International Human Rights

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP): Part of the reason that I suggested these two witnesses is that I've known both of these gentlemen, I guess, in excess of 20 years and knew that they had a perspective on Cuba that we hadn't heard and I thought it was important to hear.

Turning to our witnesses, the rate of unemployment in Cuba, the testimony said before, is 1.7% and the rest of Latin America runs 20% to 60%. You were speaking of the health of Cubans. The general welfare compared to the rest of Latin America, how would you see that? Have you travelled elsewhere in that balance?

CONSERVATIVES NOT PROTECTING PRESS FREEDOM

OTTAWA – To mark International Press Freedom day on May 3, NDP Human rights Critic Wayne Marston today called on the Conservatives to push countries Canada has diplomatic relations with to do more to protect press freedom.

“A free press is a vital component of any healthy democracy and one of the most useful tools to promote and protect human rights,” said Marston. “The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister have been silent on the issue of press freedom, as journalists around the world are subject to censorship, intimidation, jail and murder. This silence has to end.”

NDP FIGHTS FOR JAPANESE COMFORT WOMEN
MPs push for formal apology and compensation from Japanese PM

OTTAWA – The Harper government should take a stand on human rights and denounce the Japanese prime minister’s attempt to deny the forced prostitution endured by South Korean, Chinese and Filipino women during the Second World War. NDP MPs Wayne Marston and Dawn Black are calling on Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay to act in accordance with the principles of human rights that ordinary Canadians believe in.

“Prime Minister Abe must be pressured to formally apologize and to institute a program to compensate the estimated 50 000 to 200 000 women who were forced to serve in military brothels during WWII,” said NDP Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek).