Dick Cheney must be barred entry to Canada, Vancouver MP Don Davies says

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      Finally, an elected Canadian politician has the balls to take on Dick.

      In a calm and measured voice, Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies today (September 23) declared that former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney should be barred from entering Canada.

      Davies was speaking at a news conference held at the W2 Media Café in downtown Vancouver, which saw peace activist Derrick O’Keefe, lawyer Gail Davidson, and global peace advocate Blake MacLeod deliver statements about Cheney’s Monday (September 26) speaking engagement at the Vancouver Club.

      The federal NDP’s immigration critic outlined the case why Cheney should not be allowed to waltz into town based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

      Davies cited Section 35 of this law, which states in part that a foreign national is inadmissible for entry into Canada if the person is “a prescribed senior official in the service of a government that, in the opinion of the Minister, engages or has engaged in terrorism, systematic or gross human rights violations, or genocide, a war crime or a crime against humanity within the meaning of subsections 6(3) to (5) of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act”.

      A lawyer, Davies also cited Section 36 of IRPA that provides in part that a person is also inadmissible if the individual was responsible for “an act outside Canada that is an offence in the place where it was committed and that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence under an Act of Parliament punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years”.

      Davies said that he wrote Conservative Immigration Minister Jason Kenney today to remind the federal government that it has the responsibility to “uphold the law”.

      According to Davies, the former American vice president has openly and unapologetically admitted that he did not stop acts of torture perpetrated against perceived enemies of the U.S.

      Davies said that he considers practices like waterboarding, or simulated drowning, and sleep deprivation as acts of torture.

      “Torture is a serious crime. It is a war crime. It is a crime against humanity,” said Davies, who was enthusiastically applauded after delivering his statement.

      Comments

      53 Comments

      Van Kevin

      Sep 23, 2011 at 2:33pm

      Wonderful - great job Don Davies and Vancouver's peace activists. Now the media needs to ask Jason Kenney why he's letting the war criminal in.

      Lawson1945

      Sep 23, 2011 at 2:53pm

      No bloody way Davies and so should the President of China and Communist supports, we do not want them here period for any goofy Chinese Gala Events, Keep them Out also!

      Darren Pearson

      Sep 23, 2011 at 2:53pm

      The law is not ambiguous!
      It is very clear, Dick is arrestable, for some of the most heinous crimes on the books.
      This from our "get tough on crime " government that want to jail people for having the harmless pot plant?

      karlababe

      Sep 23, 2011 at 3:06pm

      would we let a nazi war criminal just wander in to promote a book???? i think not.. Cheney is no different...
      UPHOLD THE LAW!!

      Larry Kazdan

      Sep 23, 2011 at 3:32pm

      In 2004, George W. Bush entered Canada but was entitled to immunity from prosecution as a head of state. That immunity is no longer relevant. Will Canadian authorities now apply the same law to citizens Bush and Cheney as they do to other alleged torturers? Don't bet your throwing booties!

      About time

      Sep 23, 2011 at 3:53pm

      Now will our Mayor Gregor Robertson follow Don Davies lead and ask the VPD to arrest Cheney?

      Gery

      Sep 23, 2011 at 5:18pm

      Arrest him and listen to 75% of Americans cheer while the media complain about Canada. I have always been Conservative, but Davies is the man! Let's see what Jason Kenny is made of; or need we bother.

      Lawson1945

      Sep 23, 2011 at 5:31pm

      Yes when the Chinese President and Communist Officials visit a gala chinese event in Vancouver, they must arrested for human rights violations and murders of other groups of people! Don Davies we will ask you to make the arrest inconnection with the RCMP.

      karlababe

      Sep 23, 2011 at 9:43pm

      let the mega media complain... they do what they want/are told to do regardless.. integrity and solid reporting is not a job requirement..

      this has been a non issue down south tho i don't know if it has picked up any today.. Americans on a couple websites i frequent feel arrests or denial to enter Canada would be absolutely justified...

      could it be? the tides are turning and the truths are going to rise?

      Margaret

      Sep 23, 2011 at 9:47pm

      In accordance with Geneva Conventions agreements, to which Canada is a signator, Canada is actually obligated to arrest him as soon as he sets foot on Canadian soil.