Just Like His Ministers, Stephen Harper Fails Brenda Martin
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper must demonstrate that he is willing to fight for Canadian citizens by demanding action on the Brenda Martin case, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and Liberal Consular Affairs Critic Dan McTeague said today.
"The Harper government has been far too passive in handling this case," said Mr. Dion. "It is my hope that the visit by Conservative MPs Jason Kenney and Rick Norlock was not simply a photo-op to limit the political damage to Conservatives from public outrage over Brenda Martin's predicament. It's time for this government to show some leadership and demand action on this file," he said.
Mr. McTeague pointed out that the Mexican Embassy's press release on Monday's phone call says it was President Calderon who called Prime Minister Harper, not the other way around, as Mr. Harper has suggested. In fact, the call had been previously scheduled.
"The embassy states the call's main purpose was to exchange points of view and coordinate strategies for the upcoming North American Leader's Summit. The press release included a vague reference to a discussion on progress in the treatment of consular affairs that has taken place in the bilateral relationship, given the substantial increase in the number of visitors traveling between the two countries. It acknowledges the work carried out through the Early Alert Group in some highly visible consular cases to improve the quality of attention provided. There is no mention at all of them discussing Brenda Martin," said Mr. McTeague.
The Prime Minister's Office has declined to confirm if Mr. Harper did indeed raise Ms. Martin's case. This leaves Canadians questioning the true level of Mr. Harper's personal involvement in this matter and in bringing Ms. Martin's case front and centre to the Mexican president. (LOL caught again Stevie)
Mr. McTeague described the entire affair as a travesty of justice that has led to a Canadian citizen being imprisoned for two years without being afforded fundamental and internationally-recognized legal rights.
"Mr. Kenny has joined the growing list of Conservatives who have repeatedly dashed the hopes Ms. Martin had about being released. If there was no public outrage over this case, the Conservatives wouldn't even be trying to cover up their inaction and incompetence - they would merely continue to ignore her as they have for almost two years," he said.
Mr. Dion said that the Prime Minister's excuse that he can not intervene on her behalf is ridiculous.
"How, then, can he say that Canada will intervene with Saudi Arabia to spare the life of Mr. Kohail? How is it also possible for Canada to have legal assistance treaties with other countries - including Mexico?" he said.
"There are many examples where states can and do stand up for their citizens. When will Mr. Harper finally stand up for Brenda Martin?"
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For More Information:
Glenn D. Bradbury
Office of the Honourable Dan McTeague, P.C., M.P.
613-995-8082
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Stephen Harper is a Misleader
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13 comments:
Do you ever get that feeling that Mr Harper does not give rat`s rump about Canada`s everyday citizens on the street.
As Far as i can tell , his reaction is still
"Brenda Who??".
Unless you name is Dominic D`Alessandro or Michael Sabia , you might as well be dog meat.
Good luck Brenda---you are going to need it with guys like this standing on guard for thee.
Dr Mike.
I agree with your assessment entirely, Mike.
In fact, I believe it was already reported that the other Harper "emissary" (can't remember the jerk's name) sent to Mexico recently along with Jason Kenney stated some time ago that he didn't give a damn, since in his view Ms. Martin was "guilty".
These CONS are truly pathetic and disgusting indeed.
If Brenda Martin had been born anywhere else than Canada, or if she were a Muslim or Sikh, the government would be falling all over itself to get her out. Plain and simple. But she's a non-hyphenated Canadian, and not a member of a non-Native "visible minority group" so she can rot. The jerk that Robert Gibbs mentioned (can't remember his name either) declares her guilty, but I hear nothing but endless whining about a terrorist whose family came to Canada to leech off our health care system and otherwise hates the rest of us and our ways. And they were awfully quick to give $10 million to another terrorist (Arar) because the government is more interested in kissing enemy ass than it is in doing anything for Canadians. I bet that $10 million Arar got is now in Al-Qaeda coffers - too bad, it could have been used to get Martin out of Mexico.
http://spiritwolfshowl.blogspot.com
Spirit Wolf
Love the pic!!!!
Robert--we need something cool like that.
Dr Mike
The second guy's name is Rick Norlock, sitting MP for Quinte West Trenton, which is Brenda Martin's home is in his riding. I noticed he asked a question in Question Period so Bernier could say he had spoken to his Mexican counterpart or had sent a diplomatic note or something. I think it was the first time Norlock had brought up Brenda Martin's case - after two years she has been in prison. I believe that the previous MP, Paul Macklin , who was the Liberal representative in the previous government, has worked hard on brenda's case raising money for a defense lawyer and organising a rally on Parliament Hill on March 29th
Below is the web address of a YouTube video regarding Ms. Martin's situation (approx 3 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkR06AVE-d4&eurl=http://jasoncherniak.blogspot.com/
Robert
Interesting video.
This just gets stranger & stranger.
Wild reaction by the minister----the "man" at the top must have issued the "cut & run" order.
Remind me not to call her if I need help.
Mike.
Mike:
The CONS again bring "elevated" meaning to the term "smoke and mirrors".
I don't think you can count on this CON gov't for anything.
I sure as hell wouldn't travel to Mexico. Much like our current federal CON gov't, Mexico's entire justice system is corrupt, right down to the police force.
So what's the solution . . . . should we roll out the Military?
Mexico is a corrupt sh1t-hole country . . . that is why half the population has moved to the US.
Where's all the talk about "Soverign State" . . . you lefty-loons like to use so much? Do we not have to work through appropriate channels as we have done in the past??
How does it become the PMs problem when you chose to vacation and/or break laws in a foreign country???
Mike . . . your feelings don't matter . . . this is about rational thought.
So what's the solution . . . . should we roll out the Military?
Mexico is a corrupt sh1t-hole country . . . that is why half the population has moved to the US.
Where's all the talk about "Soverign State" . . . you lefty-loons like to use so much? Do we not have to work through appropriate channels as we have done in the past??
How does it become the PMs problem when you chose to vacation and/or break laws in a foreign country???
Mike . . . your feelings don't matter . . . this is about rational thought.
Old School:
Please address the topic:
"Stephen Harper is a Misleader"
Old School
What is this crap about "lefty loons".
I have been a PC & Conservative for 37 years--Stephen Harper , until Oct 31st 2006 , was my leader.
His betrayal on the income trust file was inexcusable.
His issuing of 18 blacked out pages to back up his Tax Fairness Plan was just a pile of chicken shite.
His subsequent recall of these same 18 pages was the act of a guilty man.
I refuse to support a man with no integrity.
Stephane Dion has never lied to me ; for that he has my undying gratitude as this is rare in politics anymore.
Dr Mike Popovich.
I can’t believe what the Mexican government is doing to people like Brenda Martin. In Mexico its common for parents on vacation to be murdered in there hotel room, having your wife raped, being murdered for a few dollars. What happens when you go to the authorities and find that they are just as corrupt as the criminals. I for one am boycotting Mexico until the government trys to resolve their internal corruption. I found a petition that may help put pressure on the Mexican government to change. www.dontvisitmexico.com
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