Since June, 2003, the Canadian government has refused to grant a license for flights between Montreal and Beirut.  In the meantime, British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Air France and other airline companies have launched and maintained regular direct flights to the capital of Lebanon.   It is estimated that the number of Lebanese-Canadians in the Montreal area is close to 250,000.  It is believed that the Lebanese-Canadian community is the largest ethnic community which is not served by a direct flight.  Even Denis Coderre asserted that his dream is to have a direct flight Montreal-Beirut.  The only obstacle to airlines establishing this service is the fact that the Canadian government refuses to grant the necessary licenses.  Continue reading

This Thursday, Dec. 1st, a Conservative MPP will propose a motion to the Ontario legislature to condemn the BDS movement.  The BDS movement – standing for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) – pressures Israel economically to respect the human rights of Palestinians.  Such a motion violates our right to free expression, and defames defenders of human rights.     Continue reading

Last week, the Trudeau government announced $25 million in aid to the UN organization for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA.)  UNRWA’s role is to provide education, health care, and other services to the 5 million Palestinian refugees living in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and other countries.  Canada rejoins the US and Europe in donating to UNRWA four years after Harper cut stopped it. Continue reading

The Green Party of Canada has been attacked by the pro-Occupation lobby in Canada over two resolutions proposed for the party’s convention in August. The first resolution expresses support for the “Boycott Israel” movement (BDS), and the second resolution challenges the charitable status in Canada of an organization (the JNF) that participates in Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinians. The pro-Occupation lobby has gotten hundreds of people to complain to Green Party leader Elizabeth May. Let’s match that, and show the Green Party that Canadians support these resolutions. Continue reading

The struggle for justice and peace in the Middle East is happening at home in Canada as successive Conservative and Liberal governments sustain a $15 billion arms deal for Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) with Saudi Arabia. Early in 2016, the Liberal government granted the required "export permits" for the deal despite the fact that the sale of the LAVs would be in clear violation of both the word and spirit of Canada's export controls.  CJPME and other Canadian human rights groups have highlighted the incompatibilities between the granting of the permits, and Saudi Arabia's appalling record of human rights abuses. Continue reading

The Liberal government is considering re-instating Canada's contributions to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees: UNRWA.  UNRWA’s role is to provide education, health care, and other services to the 5 million Palestinian refugees living in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and other countries. Canada, with the US and Europe was a consistent donor to UNRWA for years, until Harper cut all funding 3-4 years ago.  CJPME has been active in trying to encourage the Liberal government to give generously to this need, through press statements, action alerts, letters signed by a large variety of Canadians organizations, and other means.   Continue reading

On February 22, 2016, the House of Commons passed a motion calling the government “to condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] movement, both here at home and abroad.” Civil liberties groups across Canada condemned the motion, considering it an assault on free expression, whether or not one may agree with the BDS movement itself.     Continue reading

Last week, a Conservative-sponsored motion was launched in Canada’s parliament calling for the condemnation of organizations and individuals promoting the “Boycott Israel” (i.e. BDS) movement.  The vote is due to take place Monday, February 22, 2016.  Even if you see this alert after the 22nd, please go ahead and email your MP, as he/she should still hear how you feel on this issue. Continue reading

Many in Canada have been angered by the Canadian government's reluctance to help Syrian refugees, whether via humanitarian aid, or via the acceptance of refugees in Canada.  Canadians should demand that their politicians do more to concretely help Syrian refugees, and to put pressure on ministers to act promptly and compassionately.  Using the form below, please write to your MP, and let him/her know of your demand that more be done for Syrian refugees.  Stephen Harper and other party leaders will also be copied on the email.  

The tragic picture of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi, drowned off Turkey as he and his family fled Syria as refugees, should be the final straw!  Please call for the resignation of Chris Alexander as Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration!   Continue reading