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| M.Ps Alghabra and Wrzesnewskyj denounce remarks that imply second class citizenship
Omar Alghabra's Statement MISSISSAUGA - Today, Omar Alghabra, Liberal Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale was deeply troubled with comments made by his neighbouring Conservative Member of Parliament for Halton, Mr. Garth Turner. Mr. Turner questioned the wisdom of dedicating government resources to rescue some Canadians who are stranded in Lebanon. He claimed that because many hold dual citizenship, they don't deserve the same treatment as other Canadians and that the government shouldn't be obligated to rescue them. "I have grave concerns about Mr. Turner's attitude towards Canadians of dual citizenship," said Omar Alghabra. "He is effectively questioning the authenticity and loyalty of Canadians who reside in Lebanon and is advocating that they be treated as second class citizens." While Canada is spending billions of dollars in Afghanistan to help its citizens climb out of chaos and danger, a Conservative MP is reluctant to send Canadian assistance to aid its citizens in a dangerous situation. Thousands of Canadians are in Lebanon working or vacationing and are caught up in Israeli attacks on Lebanese cities and villages. Just 4 days ago, 7 Canadian citizens tragically lost their lives. "These remarks feed into an attitude of dual class citizenship and must be rejected," said Alghabra. "I am curious as to what Mr. Harper thinks of those comments." Alghabra is calling on Mr. Turner to withdraw his comments. His statement offends dozens of Parliamentarians and in fact millions of Canadians who hold dual citizenship either by choice or by birth. It is unfortunate that Mr. Turner chose to voice his unsupportive opinions at a time when tens of thousands of Canadians are desperate and in grave danger.
Bory Wrzesnewskyj's Statement OTTAWA: M.P Borys Wrzesnewskyj said: "Conservative MP Garth Turner should apologize for adding to the anguish of the Lebanese Canadian community and Lebanese Canadians in Lebanon by inferring they are any less Canadian," stated Liberal MP and Associate Critic for Foreign Affairs Borys Wrzesnewskyj. Desperate Canadians trapped in Lebanon have had to contend with a Foreign Minister who over the weekend was missing in action, a Prime Minister who's endangered them with his public statements, and now a proposal that would evacuate only those Canadians who were visiting the region and not those Canadians who currently reside in Lebanon. "I was aghast at the views espoused by Mr. Turner in response to the desperate calls from Canadians trapped in Lebanon. I had been under the assumption that Garth was one of the few federal 'progressive conservatives' left. It turns out his views on citizenship are in fact 'reform regressive.' Instead of evacuating all Canadians trapped in Lebanon, he seemed to suggest that only Canadians visiting Lebanon-'accidental tourists' in his words (Ottawa Citizen, July 19, Using Mr. Turner's logic, should a devastating hurricane hit Florida the Conservative government would only evacuate Canadian tourists visiting the area, not our 'snowbirds' (Canadian seniors who have taken up residence in Florida), or Canadians doing business there. He also suggested dual citizens not be extended the same humanitarian aid. Would this mean that a child, with dual citizenship, born to a Canadian mother and an American father would be abandoned by our government in a war zone? This is an incredibly slippery slope to step onto, and thankfully our Charter of Rights and Freedoms treats every Canadian equally whether they are Canadian by birth or by choice. There can't be different classes of citizenship," said Wrzesnewskyj. "Eight Canadians, including four children, have already died in Lebanon and the best that Conservative MPs like Turner can offer is a needless discussion on 'levels of citizenship.' Would he be discussing this if we were dealing with Canadian and British dual citizens? The focus should be on getting all Canadians out of harms way as fast as possible. Mr. Turner invokes the cost to Canadian taxpayers to support his point of view, however, during the tsunami of last year, Canadians and our government demonstrated Canada's generosity of spirit towards the suffering of fellow human beings. What constituency is he pandering to by suggesting Canadian taxpayers should only be covering the cost to save the lives of some Canadians?" concluded Wrzesnewskyj. |