Bloc québécois pulls out of Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to "Combat" Antisemitism

It's in today's Le Devoir - but I haven't got a print copy handy, and all but the first para is behind their subscription wall:

Easy to translate:

I'll try to get the rest of the article, unless someone here has it?

This is great news, but will obviously expose the BQ to frenzied attacks from all the predictable quarters. What we urgently need is others to join together and condemn this phony pro-Israel propaganda factory known as CPCCA. I'm afraid this will also put the NDP in a bit of a spot, as Judy Wasylycia-Leis, an ardent supporter of Israel, is still their rep in this body.

Forgot to mention that Pat Martin is also there for the NDP. Enough said.

I guess they just blew their chances in Hampstead and Cote St. Luc!

OK, folks, I found a print copy - here is an abridged version of the article (my translation):

ETA: The two Bloc MPs who quit the Coalition were Luc Desnoyers (retired Québec Director of the CAW) and Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac - the first Vietnamese Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons.

..i sent off an email to the ndp asking that they withdraw from the CPCCA committee. i just received this reply.

..................................

 From:
<Wasylycia-Leis.J@parl.gc.ca> 

Le français suit

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your message regarding my participation in the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism (CPCCA).

I joined this coalition when it was initiated because of a commitment I have held throughout my more than 20 years as an elected representative to do whatever I can, personally and politically, to speak out against antisemitism and any other form of racism and hatred in our society. In my view, antisemitism is still a tragic reality in this country and therefore worthy of consideration on an all-party basis.

Through formal and informal parliamentary groupings and dialogue, Parliamentarians have the opportunity, indeed the responsibility, to share ideas and pursue actions on serious issues facing our society. It is for that reason that I am also a member of the All-Party Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, the Canadian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development, as well as many parliamentary friendship groups including Canada-Philippines and Canada-Ukraine.

My participation doesn't imply I agree with everything the group says or does. In fact, in the case of the CPCAA, I agree that it was wrong for the Coalition Chairs to choose not to hear from the Canadian Arab Federation and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East.

However, I believe I can do more ensuring their voices and all views are heard and included in the final report by being a part of the Coalition than I can by removing myself completely from the discussions.

Throughout the hearings, I have made it my priority to question witnesses about the importance of distinguishing between antisemitism and criticism of the State of Israel and to expose attempts by the Conservative government to use the issue of antisemitism and the work of the Coalition for political, partisan purposes.

As a member of CPCCA, I have opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise to oppose forces that are counter-productive to the goal of combating antisemitism. Furthermore, if the final report of the Coalition does not address my concerns or the testimony of many witnesses, I have the opportunity of writing a minority report and appending an alternative viewpoint which I believe would be considered more seriously than if I was criticizing the report from the sidelines.

I appreciate your concern and hope that you understand my position. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Judy Wasylycia-Leis, MP
Winnipeg North

*****************

Cher ami ou chère amie,

Je vous remercie de votre message concernant mon adhésion à la Coalition parlementaire canadienne de lutte contre l'antisémitisme (CPCCA).

J'ai joint les rangs de cette coalition au moment de sa formation parce que je remplis depuis 20 ans l'engagement que j'ai pris comme députée de faire tout ce qui est en mon pouvoir, sur le plan personnel et politique, pour dénoncer l'antisémitisme et toute autre forme de racisme et de haine dans notre société. Je crois que l'antisémitisme est encore aujourd'hui une triste réalité au Canada et que cette question doit faire l'objet d'un examen de la part des députés de tous les partis.

Grâce à des discussions et à des groupes informels, les parlementaires ont la possibilité, je dirais même la responsabilité, d'échanger des idées et de prendre des mesures pour tenter de corriger les graves problèmes qui touchent notre société. C'est pour cette raison que je fais également partie du Groupe parlementaire multipartite pour la prévention du génocide et autres crimes contre l'humanité, de l'Association canadienne des parlementaires pour la population et le développement et de nombreux groupes d'amitié parlementaires, notamment les groupes Canada-Philippines et Canada-Ukraine.

Mon adhésion à un groupe ne signifie pas que je suis d'accord avec tout ce qu'il fait ou dit. En fait, dans le cas de la CPCCA, je trouve condamnable que ses présidents aient décidé de ne pas entendre le témoignage de la Fédération canado-arabe ni celui des Canadiens pour la justice et la paix au Moyen-Orient.

Je crois toutefois que je suis plus utile en continuant de faire partie de la Coalition qu'en me retirant complètement des discussions car je peux ainsi veiller à ce que les points de vue de ces organismes et ceux de tous les autres intervenants fassent partie du rapport final.

Au cours des audiences, je me suis fait un devoir d'interroger les témoins en ce qui a trait à l'importance de faire la distinction entre l'antisémitisme et une critique de l'État d'Israël, et j'ai dénoncé les tentatives du gouvernement conservateur d'utiliser l'antisémitisme et le travail de la Coalition à des fins politiques et partisanes.

Si je n'étais pas membre de la CPCCA, je n'aurais pas la possibilité de m'opposer aux forces qui vont à l'encontre de notre objectif, à savoir la lutte contre l'antisémitisme. De plus, si le rapport final de la Coalition ne tient pas compte de mes préoccupations ou du témoignage de nombreux témoins, je peux rédiger un rapport minoritaire et présenter un autre point de vue, ce qui, à mon avis, serait examiné plus sérieusement que si je critiquais le rapport de l'extérieur.

Je comprends votre crainte et j'espère que vous comprenez ma position. Je vous remercie d'avoir pris le temps de communiquer avec moi.

Je vous prie de recevoir, cher ami ou chère amie, mes salutations les meilleures.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis, députée
Winnipeg-Nord

..i haven't heard from jack or libby either. any ideas on how to keep the pressure up?

I got the same message. She has now resigned to try her luck in Winnipeg, as mayor. Good riddance. I hope Pat Martin will be next to exit the NDP caucus.

I thought the voters of Outremont riding decided who their MP would be.  I guess I was wrong.

You are wrong. In most ridings, in our electoral system, a minority of all voters get to decide who the MP will be. I've just taken that statistical fact to its extreme conclusion by declaring myself the Great Elector.

You mean, your vote doesn't ACTUALLY count 40,000 times in that riding?  Damn, I'm disappointed.

I urge you then, use your power for good, and not for evil, O Politically Potent One.

I don't get this baby-bathwater reasoning. Would you also cut off your left foot if it trips you up once? Apparently you were a cheap date all along.