One is too many
August 21st, 2009 | Tikkun Daily
This article has been edited for dating. The original article included an update that is no longer relevant.
McKenzie-King was the Prime Minister of Canada three times over 21 years, including all of the War years
In 1936 the government of Canada appointed Frederick Charles Blair as the director of the Immigration Branch. Blair was appointed assistant deputy of immigration in 1924, under the Liberal government of MacKenzie-King.
The Liberals had been in and out of power twice in the intervening years but were elected again in 1935. Blair was promoted in 1936 to become director of the Immigration Branch.
Blair responded to the question of how many Jews would be admitted to Canada with the remark “None is too many”.
The ghost of Blair remains a powerful force in the government of Canada, even as the face of Canada has coloured significantly in the past 65 years. I can think of no other reason for the shameful targeting of six Arab-Canadian citizens by three successive government administrations since 2001.
The RCMP, so long a tangible symbol of Canada even to Canadians, has a tarnished history when it comes to certain specific duties foisted upon it by a government that lacked the creativity to seek other solutions. For many years the RCMP maintained a Special Branch and no distinction was made between national security and criminal investigation.
This changed perhaps 30 years ago. One scandal after another had plagued the Force with respect to its security service. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service was formed as a result of these scandals.
Security in a free and democratic society is always a difficult topic. The interesting things I have done in my life to date have sensitized me to security issues. I am very aware of the challenges faced by security professionals — and make no mistake, these people are professionals.
You may be uncomfortable to hear this but your right to dissent is protected by these security professionals.
That frightens me to some extent because I have some recent exposure to the incompetence of at least one such professional. I’m not certain if he is RCMP or CSIS.
Mr Covert, just a quick suggestion: if you’re going to blow smoke in the face of a man for whom I am a surety I suggest you learn how to smoke a cigarette. I used to be a chain smoker. I smoked five packs a day. I never went through cigarettes as fast as you did that Sunday in the coffee shop.
And by the way: I’m a cancer survivor. You might want to find another way to harass people who are the company of others — especially if we are sureties.
Because, Mr Covert, one scandal is too many. And you’re involved in six. In alphabetical order these are:
- Abdula Almalki
- Ahmad Abou Elmaati
- Maher Arar
- Hassan Diab
- Omar Khadr
- Muayyed Nureddin
Mr Covert, of course, knows all these people. My readers will get to know them better this coming Sunday.
HASSAN DIAB UPDATE:
Carleton University has refused the grievance, so mediation is mandatory under the collective agreement.
