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September 17, 2005
To:< mkwinter.mpp@liberal.ola.org >
Cc: Dalton.McGuinty@premier.gov.on.ca ; Mclellan.A@parl.gc.ca ; pm@pm.gc.ca ; Layton.J@parl.gc.ca ; Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca ; john.tory@pc.ola.org ; hhampton-qp@ndp.on.ca
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 8:23 PM
Subject: Joint Force
Dear Mr. Kwinter,
I welcome the establishment of a “Joint Forces Hate Crime and Extremism Investigative Team". After all there is no place in our society for hate crimes, extremism or terrorism,Each of these evils should be forcefully dealt with. But there is a problem that needs clarification.
It is quite easy to recognize terrorism, in that its definition is clear, namely "The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons."
However, I am not sure how you define the terms of reference for hate crime or extremism.
For example, extremism can be defined as "any political theory favoring immoderate uncompromising policies". Espousing a political theory is quite appropriate in our pluralistic society. Many politicians at all levels of government can be classified as extremist. But forwarding a political theory via violent measures is something quite different.
Similarly, anti-Semitism is clearly hatred in that it targets a specific group merely for belonging to that society. However, anti-Zionism is a legitimate position against a political philosophy or movement, and cannot be considered a hate crime.
How are you going to differentiate between legitimate disagreement and illegitimate hatred?
Until definitions are clearly stated for these terms, it will be difficult for anyone to serve on this team.
I await your definitions.
Yours thoughtfully,
Dennis Choptiany
Markham, Ontario
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To: Hon. Dalton McGuinty
Cc: Howard Hampton ; John Tory ; Right Hon. Paul Martin ; Hon. Anne McLellan ; Hon. Monte Kwinter
Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 10:49 AM
Subject: Monte Kwinter's “Joint Forces Hate Crime and Extremism Investigative Team".
The Hon. Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ont.
Dear Sir:
Yesterday's Toronto Star (August 26, 2005) has an article "Hate crimes team gets a boost" in which it covers Monte Kwinter's “Joint Forces Hate Crime and Extremism Investigative Team".
I am very concerned about the use of the term "extremism". Like the term “terrorism”, “extremism” is a matter of perspective. For example: Israeli terrorism -- referred to as “war crimes and crimes against humanity” by Amnesty International in its 2005 Report -- is given names other than "terrorism" in Canada and even publicly supported, with impunity, by pro-Israeli lobbyists.
I fear that some provincial officials may use the pretext of combating “extremism” to place limits on freedom of expression of particular viewpoints.
Since Monte Kwinter was one of those behind sending three dozen Ontario police officers to train in Israel, I think there is good reason to be concerned about how he interprets this term. Will groups that support Palestinian rights and peace in the Holy Land based on justice and implementation of international law be considered extremist”? What about churches that are developing boycott and divestment campaigns against the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories?
Before any money is devoted to the hunting of "extremists" and "extremism", we must have a definition of exactly what they are talking about and the grounds for their interpretation.
Khaled Mouammar
Richmond Hill, Ontario
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