Coun. Maggie Burton put forward the motion calling on the City to write to PM Carney expressing the City’s support for a two-way arms embargo and calling for improvements to the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa program
On Tuesday the City of St. John’s passed a motion that compels the City to write a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the premier, and N.L. Members of Parliament and Senators expressing the City’s support for a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel and calling on the federal government to ease the visa process for Palestinians fleeing Israel’s war.
Coun. Maggie Burton brought the motion during her final meeting as a councillor. “While 99 per cent of municipal politics is about delivering municipal services, there is the other 1 per cent. As a democratic government, we do have a limited role in making symbolic statements on behalf of our community.”
She accused the Canadian government of contributing “arms towards the killing of children” in Gaza and maintaining policies that make it difficult for refugees to come to Canada.
The federal government has faced criticism for how complex and restrictive its visa process has been for those fleeing the war in Gaza, especially when compared to more accessible temporary programs for those escaping conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
For example, the temporary resident program for Palestinians is capped at 5,000 and limited to those with family already in Canada or those currently in Canada on temporary visas. By contrast, Ukrainians escaping Russia’s invasion were able to apply for a temporary visa without a cap or a sponsor in Canada. (more...)
St. John’s city council passes resolution in support of Palestinians
No comments:
Post a Comment