There are 200 American war resisters currently in Canada who are seeking permanent refugee status. Private Robin Long is one of the first war resisters to be sent back to the United States for his resistance to the Iraq war. Long is serving a fifteen month prison sentence for desertion with intent to remain away permanently (CBC). Several other war resisters could be sent home despite a motion in the House of Commons that allows war resisters to stay in Canada.

According to protestors in Canada who are speaking out on the issue of war resisters the Conservatives are the only party that is currently sending war resisters home. Other parties including the New Democratic Party and Liberal party are in favour of the non-binding motion that allows American war resisters to stay within the country.

During a protest in the middle of September, 2008 Morton an advocate for war resisters had this to say about those war resisters living within Canada, “They have refused to return to Iraq or serve in Iraq because of their conviction that they cannot participate in war crimes against humanity and crimes against the peace,” Morton continued, “It’s unconscionable that hey not be permitted to stay in Canada as refugees. What better reason is there than that (CBC)?”

Jeremy Hinzman another conscientious objector is to face deportation as early as September 23, 2008. Hinzman along with his wife and two children have been ordered to leave the country by the Canadian Conservative government. If Hinzman is deported he is likely to face at least a year prison term and will receive a criminal record (CBC). Opinion polls in Canada are in favour of war resisters remaining within Canada, yet, the Canadian government is sticking with their own policies on the issue (Yahoo).

Liberal Bob Rae spoke on behalf of Hinzman at a conference in Toronto and urged the Canadian government to allow conscientious objectors to remain as permanent residents within Canada. Bob Rae is a former premier of Ontario and a member of parliament. As well, Bob Rae is the Liberal foreign affairs critic and a supporter of pro American war resister legislation. Hinzman is asking for a stay of removal in regards to his deportation notice but a stay of deportation is unlikely in his case (CBC).

With a Canadian Federal election set for October 14, 2008 there is an opportunity for Canadians to make their opinions known on the issue of American War resisters. The Liberal and New Democratic Party are in favour of permanent residence for American war resisters, while, the Conservative government is against refugee status for conscientious objectors.

Sources:

"Liberals Back US War Resister's Bid to Stay in Canada." CBC News. 18 Sep. 2008. 26 Sep. 2008 http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/09/18/iraq-objector.html

"US Soldier Jailed 15 Months for Desertion." CBC News. 22 Aug. 2008. 26 Sep. 2008 http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/22/deserter-sentenced.html

"Vote to Let War Resisters Stay: Protesters." Yahoo news. 14 Sep. 2008. 26 Sep. 2008 http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/080914/canada/edmonton_war_resisters_rally

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1066893/canadian_conservative_government_continues.html?cat=75