Angry in the Great White North

B'nai Brith has issued a statement on the candidacy of Farhan Chak, who was nominated to run for the Liberal Party in Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont. The Jewish human rights organization is calling on Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion to void the nomination:

B’nai Brith Canada calls on Liberal leader to dismiss candidate for extremist views – cites Green Party leader’s positive example Posted On 05/01/07

TORONTO, May 1, 2007 – B’nai Brith Canada has called on leaders from across the political spectrum to engage in civil discourse, following recent episodes in which candidates vying for political office have expressed extremist viewpoints that run counter to Canadian norms and values.

“In recent days and weeks we have heard from a number of candidates vying for political office who have openly expressed extremist positions that run counter to the fundamental Canadian values of tolerance and respect for all peoples.

“In one notable case, the Green Party Vancouver-Kingsway candidate, Kevin Potvin, described the 9/11 terror attacks as ‘beautiful’ and admitted to rejoicing at the sight of the World Trade Center collapsing. We applaud Green Party leader Elizabeth May for refusing to let this individual stand as a candidate and for respecting the enormity of the tragedy that 9/11 represented not just to Americans, but to people around the world.

“In another recent case, Farhan Chak, the Liberal Party candidate running in the riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, accused the Israeli government of ‘murdering children, raping women, and torturing an entire populace’. This attempt to delegitimize the Jewish state and marginalize a segment of the voting public should not go unchallenged. We call on Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion to follow the positive example set by Ms. May, and refuse to let this candidate represent the Liberal Party in his bid for political office.

“Our political leaders have a responsibility to advance meaningful debate in this country that is reflective of fundamental Canadian values and respect for all peoples.”

By allowing days to go by, Stephane Dion is allowing this story to grow in size, but worse, he is losing the opportunity to be seen as a leader. If Stephane Dion decides to cancel the nomination, he will be seen by many people as caving in to pressure.

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