The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations
Annual Dinner 2007

Since 1985, the National Council on Canada–Arab Relations has provided a strong link between Canada and Arab countries.

The National Council has consistently worked to promote and increase Canadian awareness and knowledge of the Arab world, and to encourage the expansion of commercial, scientific, educational, and cultural links between Canadian and Arab institutions. Our organization has been given the opportunity to represent Canada in a G8 conference on development in the Middle East, meet with Cabinet Ministers, government officials, lead delegations overseas, and host international dignitaries in Canada. 

Over 150 people gathered Monday night to attend NCCAR's annual dinner. The event drew together Ambassadors, Ministers, Members of Parliament from the Conservatives, the Liberals, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Green Party, Senators and Canadians interested in our relations with the Arab World.  For the first time this year, NCCAR broke its tradition and invited all Foreign Affairs critics to open the evening and address the audience. They were followed by NCCAR's speech and Minister MacKay's speech. The evening was completed by the NCCAR award ceremony.

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert spoke in behalf of Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic focusing his speech on trade between Canada and the Arab World and highlighting the need to have a viable Palestinian state side by side with Israel. He stressed the importance of engaging in direct dialogue with the key actors, especially regarding the Arab-Israel conflict, in order to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Francine Lalonde, Foreign Affairs Critic of the Bloc Québécois, mentioned the various conflicts in the Middle East, including the wars in Lebanon and Iraq, but she focused on the Palestinian conflict because "this is the source of most tensions in the region". She spoke of her visits to the region and stressed the importance of the Mecca Accord. She shared with the audience her views on how to achieve peace, and mentioned countries such as Norway and France, who have accepted to negotiate and offer aid to the new Palestinian Government, as examples for Canada to follow.

The New Democratic Party was represented by Alexa McDonough, who also spoke of the conflict in the region but dedicated a major part of her speech to the situation in Palestine, whose end she explained was important to Canadians from all origins.  "A majority of Canadians are troubled by the situation in Israel and Palestine," she said.

Ms. Réghaï stressed the importance for the government to take account of diverse views to make policy: "We look forward to increased consultation with our government and civil society to work towards developing a made-in-Canada foreign policy." She delivered a passionate plea for a consistent "single standard" approach for all, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. "As the government demands security for Israel, it must demand the same for Palestinians who find themselves in far more precarious and insecure circumstance."   The "single standard" must include the rule of law: "Like you Minister, and as is declared on the Foreign Affairs website, we believe in close adherence to international law in arriving at a just and equitable peace.  There is no legal justification for the expansion of settlements, the wall on Palestinian territory, the annexation of East Jerusalem, and many other facts on the ground that may be used to prejudge the outcome of any negotiations. The Occupation of Palestinian Territory must end."

Hon. Peter MacKay Speech (Audio file)- recorded by NCCAR [Listen]
 

It was decided this year to draw attention to the two main issues on which NCCAR and most Canadians differ with the position taken by Canadian government: the war on Lebanon and the terrible conditions imposed on Palestinians for exercising their democratic rights.

Samah Sabawi, Acting Executive Director recognized Reverend Bill Baldwin for his work with the Christian Peacemakers Team in Hebron.

"The Rev. tells many stories.   He reminds us of the importance of remembering that it is all about the people, the children, the women, the  barber, the imam, the shepherd...it is about human beings not maps, walls and rhetoric...A friend of the Reverend describes Hebron as a sad story with a few good moments. We are grateful for people like the Reverend who have born witness to - if not created some of these good moments."  Rev. Bill Baldwin was recognized for his dedication to peace and justice in Palestine, receiving a standing ovation.

The second award was given to the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, for their outstanding humanitarian achievement and fundraising efforts last Summer, during the War on Lebanon.  The work of Michel Dagher was recognized, and the President of the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hamzo accepted the award for the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce.

All the guests, including the Ministers, the ambassadors and the government officials, were able to discuss with each other and exchange views, long after the "official" portion of the dinner was over.