To:    The Consulate of Canada
          Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

We would like to thank the citizens of Canada for being there when the peace movement in the United States needed you.  Because Canadians have sheltered those of us who say no to war, your country stands as a beacon for peace. 

In one respect we share a similar problem of a conservative minority blocking a progressive majority.  Just as most United State citizens (68%) want the war to end; so too, most Canadians (64%) want to remain a haven for those who do not wish to participate in pre-emptive aggression.  And just as the Bush administration turns a deaf ear to the will of the people; so too, your Prime Minister Harper ignores your will.

We, Veterans For Peace, who have rejected war as an instrument of national policy thank you Canadians for your patience and humanity.  You are an example of restraint and consideration that our country would do well to emulate. 

During the Vietnam war you sheltered over 50,000 war resisters and today there are many of us who seek shelter again.  Please let them immigrate.  Please let them stay.  We know that this is your decision. But, they do not deserve to be imprisoned here for sticking to their conscience.  They will make good Canadian citizens.

With Gratitude and Hope,
The North Carolina Triangle Veterans For Peace
The Legislative Outreach Committee: John Heuer, Cyrus King, Wally Myers, Margaret Peeples, Barbara Freeman, Mia Austin-Scoggins, Chris Moore and David Taylor.

(Details)

1)  On June 3 House of Commons voted in favor of allowing war resisters to immigrate to Canada
2)  The recent Angus-Reid poll shows that 64% of Canadians think U.S. war resisters should be allowed to remain in Canada (from 70% in Quebec to 52% in Alberta)
3) On July 4 a Federal Court in Canada rejected the narrow basis for the denial of refugee status to Iraq veteran Joshua Key, who participated in over 100 "home invasions" in Iraq.  According to the Federal Court, these invasions amounted to a violation of the Geneva Conventions against the wartime abuse of civilians.  The Federal Court said the Refugee Board was wrong to say that if this abuse did not fit a narrow definition of "war crimes," then soldiers who refused to participate in the abuse were not deserving of protection from persecution under refugee law.  This court ruling is an indication that all the war resisters' refugee hearings have been based on overly narrow criteria.
4) The Refugee process is flawed.  It is an expensive and timely case-by-case process which has resulted in narrow and conservative judgments.  The best way to resolve this unfair situation is for the government to follow the will of the Canadian Parliament and the Canadian people:  simply allow U.S. war resisters to immigrate to Canada.
5) The illegal arrest and detention of war resister Robin Long, who was apprehended in British Columbia by the Canadian Border Services Agency, and who is being threatened with deportation this coming Monday, is another example of the arbitrary treatment of U.S. war resisters.  Neither Robin Long nor his lawyer were properly informed that his Pre-Removal Risk Assessment had been denied, and so his legal right to appeal was violated.  The Canadian Border Services Agency should immediately release Robin Long.
6)  We most strongly urge an immediate halt to all deportation proceedings, against Corey Glass, against Robin Long, and against all war resisters.   We strongly urge the government to allow U.S. war resisters to remain in Canada.