Gerard Kennedy

New Private Members Bill Introduced

American war resisters from the Iraq war would be eligible for Canadian citizenship if Parliament approves the bill Gerard introduced on   September 17, 2009.  Gerard rose in the House of Commons to introduce what is his first Private Members Bill as a federal Member of Parliament, with cross-partisan support. Having consulted widely with those directly involved in helping war resisters in the riding and elsewhere, and other interested parliamentarians he introduced measures to amend the Immigration and Refugee Act.

His bill, titled “An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (war resisters)”, seeks to help protect those who are conscientious objectors from wars that were not sanctioned by the United Nations. The bill would give legal force to a motion that has twice passed the House but been ignored by the Harper government.

This bill will allow for those who are being forced to return to combat roles despite having completed their tour of duty, a so-called “stop-loss” order, to be given consideration to remain in Canada on Humanitarian or Compassionate grounds by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“I wanted to be sure that my first Bill as a Member of Parliament was on an issue that affects people directly,” said Mr. Kennedy “This is a character test for Canada to assert a Canadian sensibility when people are turning to us for refuge out of matters of conscience.”

Link to the bill:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4104737&file=4

Timmins-James Bay federal Liberal candidate Marilyn Wood and Parkdale-High Park Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy — his party’s critic for infrastructure, cities and communities — wanted to assure them, however, that their views still count.

Gerard Kennedy has written directly to every community organization in the riding, asking for their help to save national gun control by expressing their support and he appealed to area residents to do the same.

Regina – Federal Liberal Housing Critic Gerard Kennedy called on the Harper government today to increase funding for the Saskatchewan programs to prevent and reduce homelessness in the face of rising rents and a tight housing market.

Conservative Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has a different bottom line on his refugee reform bill after all. After having his “last, best, take-it-or-leave-it” offer rejected by the Liberal Party last Thursday, the Minister blinked and moved the yardsticks much closer to fair territory.