Indigenous rights in the spotlight

1. On May 30, 2018, Bill C-262 passed 3rd reading by a vote of 206 to 79. It now continues its journey to the Senate where it must again pass through three readings and study by committee, but we hope that it will become law in the fall if not sooner. This private member’s bill ensures that Canada’s laws are aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Read Diane Meredith’s blog post on “Bill C-262 and living into a new covenant.” Thanks to everyone who has taken action in support of Bill C-262.

2. In the wake of acquittals in the murders of Colten Bushie and Tina Fontaine, MCC joins a growing movement urging meaningful change to address the unfair and discriminatory treatment of Indigenous Peoples within the criminal justice system. In a May 25th letter to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, MCC urged the federal government to work with the provincial and territorial governments to improve policing, prosecution, and jury selection, and to strengthen Aboriginal justice systems. Read the letter.

End the suffering of Gaza

On March 30, Palestinians in Gaza began a series of Friday demonstrations calling attention to the Palestinians’ right to return to lands from which they were displaced 70 years ago and to the suffocating blockade under which they have lived for 11 years. The protests continue to the present. The Israeli military has responded with lethal force to nonviolent protesters, including those armed with stones.

Since March more than 115 Palestinians have been killed, and another 13,000 injured, including hundreds of children and a volunteer with an MCC partner organization. In addition, medical personnel and facilities have also come under fire. Hospitals are at the brink of collapse, unable to deal with the vast number of injured due to the blockade and resulting insufficient electricity, medical supplies and equipment. Read a statement by Association of International Development Agencies in Palestine and Israel. 

On May 16, Prime Minister Trudeau indicated that Canada was joining the call for an independent investigation to ascertain whether Israel employed an excessive use of force, and also whether Hamas was engaged in incitement.