Statement

For immediate Release

NCCAR Acknowledges Dion's Response

Concerning Ken Dryden's Remarks

Ottawa, October 10, 2008 -- NCCAR acknowledges receipt of Mr. Dion's response to the unacceptable remarks of Ken Dryden regarding application of collective punishment on the people of Gaza. NCCAR welcomes Mr. Dion's comments that, “…the Liberal Party has supported and will continue to support the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza through international aid organizations. Any suggestion to the contrary is false....”

“It would be appreciated by our Arab, Muslim as well as other Canadian communities if Liberal candidates would relent from veering off their party's policies on the Middle East as a means of securing votes and funds,” said Bahija Réghaï, President of NCCAR.

NCCAR has consistently called on the federal government to adhere to international law. As the Official Opposition and former governing party in Canada, the Liberal party is expected to do the same.

NCCAR thank Mr. Dion for clarifying his party's position on this critical issue and hope that he will rise in the House at the earliest opportunity to call not only for continued international aid to help alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians, but also for Canada to uphold its international responsibility as the Gavel holder in the Refugee file and actually engage in finding a just solution to the conflict.

-End-

Contact:

Bahija Réghaï, NCCAR President, 613-238-3795, nccar@nccar.ca