No Images? Click here "You can always listen." April 2017 Issue No. 57Quotation of the month
Budget disappointmentsOn March 22, the Trudeau government released its second budget since being elected in October 2015. New spending focused on training and innovation, housing and childcare, as well as infrastructure, health and education for Indigenous peoples. MCC is disappointed that no commitment was made to:
See the Take Action request below. Canada extends military mission against ISISOn March 31, the Canadian government extended by three months (to June 30, 2017) the military component of its mission in Iraq and Syria to "train, advise and assist" Iraqi and Kurdish forces in their efforts to recapture territory from the ISIS group. This decision was made in part due to the major effort of the Iraqi army to regain control of Mosul. Despite not directly carrying out airstrikes, Canadian planes continue to supply fuel and intelligence to countries that are. Canada is also continuing to provide weapons to Iraqi forces and Kurdish groups in the region. MCC continues to raise significant concerns and doubts (through blog posts and letters) as to whether such activities will in fact contribute to a sustainable peace in the region.
Staff updateIn March Ottawa Office staff were delighted to have MCC Peace Clubs founder Issa Sadi Ebombolo from Zambia visit with his daughter Faraja. Issa is finishing studies at Conrad Grebel College University in the Peace and Conflict Studies program and Faraja is finishing grade 8 in Waterloo before returning to Zambia with her father. Both were enjoying a brief holiday in Ottawa. |