Canadian Friends Service Committee
E-Newsletter December 2007
Individuals can subscribe to the E-Newsletter at http://lists.quaker.ca/cgibin/mailman/listinfo/cfsc-e-news The E-Newsletter is available online at www.cfsc.quaker.ca/cfscresources.html
Small victory in efforts for “war resisters” to stay in Canada New—CFSC submission to the Manley Panel on Afghanistan Prevent re-introduction of security certificate law CFSC Annual Appeal 2007 – Please support Quaker service work CFSC Holiday Gift Ideas Quaker Meetings – send us your news!
Small victory in efforts for “war resisters” to stay in Canada
CFSC was called as a witness before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) which held a hearing on 6 December 2007 regarding a motion to allow conscientious objectors (COs) to the Iraq War to stay in Canada. Read our oral presentation and our written brief, which gives detailed information on rights of conscience and how Parliament could simply implement a way for “war resisters” to stay in Canada (visit “News and Events” section of www.cfsc.quaker.ca). Following various presentations, the motion was amended to apply to conscientious objectors from any war that did not have UN sanction—a far stronger stance. It passed in a vote of 7-4. It will go forward as a recommendation to Government. The minutes of the meeting are online. This is a significant victory along the way to securing the means for COs to apply for status from within Canada. CFSC continues to urge Friends to visit MPs to better educate them about CO, particularly as US war resisters from the Iraq War are under threat of deportation in the coming months if a provision is not implemented in time. Visit www.resisters.ca for more information.
New—CFSC submission to the Manley Panel on Afghanistan
CFSC's submission to the Independent Panel on Canada's Role in Afghanistan expresses our concern that the very premise on which the four suggested options on which the Panel is focused precludes consideration of non-military peacebuilding. It explains that policy with regard to Canada’s role in Afghanistan is not only, or even primarily, a question of what to do with our military resources, and gives indications of non-violent approaches. The three-page text is available in the “News and Events” section of the CFSC website (www.cfsc.quaker.ca).
Prevent re-introduction of security certificate law
In February, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that secret trial security certificates were unconstitutional, but suspended the effect of its decision until February 23, 2008, at which time those subject to certificates can apply to have them quashed. In October, the Government introduced Bill C-3, which includes a detention provision that is virtually identical to that of security certificates, allowing for indefinite detention without charge, secret hearings without the detainee or their lawyer present, etc. Petitions addressing this concerning proposed legislation can be downloaded from www.jerome.koumbit.org/adil/en/petition and sent in completed by 15 February 2008. The Canadian Council for Refugees has made a submission to the House standing committee reviewing the legislation. It can be read at: http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/C3submission.pdf There is also a summary at: http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/C3summary.pdf
CFSC Annual Appeal 2007 – Please support Quaker service work
Each autumn, CFSC asks for your financial assistance to work on a wide range of issues and community-based projects around the world on your behalf. Our Annual Report and Appeal is on its way. We ask you to give it a read and perhaps remind others in your Meeting that CFSC needs your support. The Appeal (including a letter from CFSC Clerk Svetlana MacDonald and a donor card) are available on- line at: http://www.cfsc.quaker.ca/pages/whats_new.html Thank you for your interest in and support of Canadian Friends Service Committee! (Note: A donation to CYM is not a donation to CFSC—you need to donate directly to CFSC if you wish to support its program work)
CFSC Holiday Gift Ideas
Looking for a little something for someone? Why not give a gift that gives – visit our website and check out our gift idea list in the News and Events section of the site We have a a downloadable donation gift card that may help you with your gift list. Worth considering in this season of over-consumption.
Quaker Meetings – send us your news!
CFSC wants to hear of the activities of the Peace and Social Concerns Committees of Meetings and Worship Groups. Send a contact e-mail address to intern@cfsc.quaker.ca Also, Peace and Social Concerns Committees may wish to inform other Meetings of their activities by submitting items to the CFSC E-Newsletter (deadline: 25th of month; send to cfsc@quaker.ca). Submission are 100 words or less and include contact information for a person in the Meeting regarding the item. The CFSC E-Newsletter shares current concerns and information related to CFSC, its projects, and other news with Meetings within Canadian Yearly Meeting and individual friends and donors of CFSC. Please circulate the E-Newsletter to friends and, importantly to your Meeting E-mail list (if you are the list’s caretaker). If your Meeting would like to submit an item, contact cfsc@quaker.ca Submission deadline: 25th of month.
Canadian Friends Service Committee
60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5R 1C7 Tel: 416-920-5213 Email: cfsc-office@quaker.ca Website: www.cfsc.quaker.ca
To make a donation towards the work of CFSC, visit: http://www.cfsc.quaker.ca/pages/donate.html