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Immigration issues, racial profiling dominate Muslim debate

By Kevin Werner
News Staff

(Jan 20, 2006)
The New Democratic Party would abolish the Liberal's anti-terrorist legislation, said NDP candidate Gordon Guyatt during a recent debate among local candidates.

Liberal incumbent MP Russ Powers said the legislation, approved by Parliament in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States, will expire because of sunset clauses contained in the bills.

Racial profiling, the erosion of their civil rights and immigration issues remained upper most in the minds of most Hamilton Muslims, as candidates for the Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale riding took part in the Coalition of Hamilton Muslim's debate Jan.15 at Ancaster's Olde Town Hall.

Mr. Powers assured about 70 people who filled most of the seats in the hall, they have nothing to worry about from the terror legislation.

"There is no reason for that legislation to affect you," he said. "We do some pre-screenings."

He added that the legislation have been treated "the same," a statement that didn't go over well among the mostly Muslim audience.

"All communities have not been treated the same," said Mr. Guyatt, who touted his visits to Saudi Arabia during the debate. "Bill C-36 will be repealed immediately" and the security certificates if a NDP government is elected.

Conservative candidate David Sweet said his party finds "any racial profiling unacceptable."

But he stopped short of saying the Anti-Terrorist Acts would be repealed under a Conservative government. Instead, he wanted to establish legislation that would balance Canada's security, with upholding the rights of Canadians.

Green Party candidate David Januczkowski, Marxist-Leninist Party candidate Jamile Ghaddar and Independent Ben Cowie did not participate in the event.

Soon after the 9/11 attacks, Canada passed Bill C-36, the Anti-Terrorism Act, Bill C-35, the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act, and Bill C-55, the Public Safety Act. The omnibus legislation allows for the conviction of a person for facilitating terrorism without the knowledge or the intent of doing so; a person can be arrested for 72 hours on suspicion of being a terrorist without evidence; it created secretive investigative hearings; the creation of secretive trials, the confiscation of property and under Bill C-35 broadened state immunity for state terrorism.

The debate meandered into foreign policy with the audience urging all parties to reverse Canada's shift away from a neutral stance in the Middle East and towards supporting Israel.

Mr. Guyatt told the audience he couldn't agree more.

"You are right, we need to have a balanced Middle East policy. We need to have justice for the Palestinians. The (Israeli) wall is an illegal act Canada has refused to say that."

Mr. Sweet said the Conservatives support a free Palestinian state, but also he wants a "safe and secure" Israel.

Mr. Powers, who pointed out he has met with Palestinian representatives during his 18-month term as MP, also supports a Palestinian state, and more co-operation between Palestine and Israel.

The spotlight was also turned towards the Canadian government and why it doesn't have an equal amount of minorities employed, while the country's universities have a large amount if minority students.

Mr. Guyatt blamed a "subtle form" of Canadian racism for the lack of employment equity in government.

"I support an affirmative action policy," he said. "We want minorities in positions of government."

He would also encourage professional organizations in Canada to accept the foreign credentials of immigrants. There have been instances of immigrants who are doctors and engineers arriving in Canada, but end up driving cabs and flipping hamburgers because their credentials are not recognized by Canada's associations.

Mr. Powers, though, found that as Canada's community becomes more diverse, the government will reflect that diversity.

"I support open employment principles," he said. "It is the evolution of the best qualified individuals."

Mr. Sweet said Canada has to provide truthful information to people interested in immigrating to Canada. He would also encourage professional associations to recognize foreign credentials.