Canadian Coalition for Democracies
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) was a Canadian political action organization that advocated greater support for Israel
, India
, and minorities in the Muslim world such as Christian
s, Copt
s, Bahá'ís, Assyrian
s, and Ismaili
s.
The CCD strove to maintain a non-partisan, issue-oriented approach to its objectives. Its Executive Director was a former Conservative Party aide and its founders included two future Conservative cabinet ministers, but its founders also included a number of life-long Liberal party supporters.
CCD was formed in 2003 as a result of a number of perceived stumbles by the then-Liberal government in its foreign policies and its approach to the US government, culminating in demonstrations organized in Canada by supporters of the War in Iraq.
of making Islamist comments upon winning his party's nomination. Alghabra's campaign said that CCD founder and Executive Director Naresh Raghubeer was a former executive assistant to Alghabara's rival Raminder Gill
. CCD was accused of libel by Alghabra and issued a press release withdrawing its earlier charge when evidence surfaced showing that Alghabra did not make the comments in question. The Muslim Canadian Congress
issued a statement accusing CCD of "whipping up anti-Muslim hysteria".
to adopt a pro-Israel stance, and rejected providing Palestinians with any development or humanitarian assistance and was very critical of the Muslim
world and, in particular, of groups such as Hamas
and Hezbollah. It expressed its views through op-ed contributions to Canadian newspapers; through press releases; and in its public message forum. While it had praised select individual senior Liberals such as former Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler
for their pro-Israel positions, the CCD more generally attacked the Liberal Party of Canada for allegedly failing to extend support to Israel. In an op-ed published in the National Post
in March 2004, CCD Director Alastair Gordon drew a direct analogy between the foreign policy of the then-Liberal government of Canada toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the practices of the Nazi German era, stating that the Canadian government "believed [that the West Bank] should be Judenrein (Jew-free)... Canada validated the racist grievance of the Jew-killers."http://canadiancoalition.com/longhistory.shtml This charge was repeated in a citation awarding Conservative politician Stockwell Day
the CCD's parliamentarian of the year award.http://canadiancoalition.com/stockwelldayaward.shtml.
; in 2004 then-Executive Director Naresh Raghubeer penned an opinion piece advocating that India be given a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
.http://canadiancoalition.com/nationalpost82/NareshIndiaUN.html.
The CCD also supported India's claims to Kashmir and successfully advocated for Canada to establish a trade office in Gujarat despite an international diplomatic boycott of the Indian state's government and its Chief Minister Narendra Modi
due to the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002
and the government's role in them.http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/ajit_jain/2008/09/24/6858851-sun.html
instead of the People's Republic of China
. It also opposed the suppression of Falun Gong
supporters in China and supports Falun Gong claims that its supporters' have been subjected to organ harvesting
.
and North Korea
, and supported continued Canadian involvement in Afghanistan
.
It was also vocal in its opposition to the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka
, and opposed Muslim rule in Sudan
.
In 2006, the CCD organized a demonstration in support of Denmark against criticism for publishing cartoons depicting Muhammad
.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/03/11/demonstrators-toronto060311.html
The CCD generally supported the policies of the Conservative Party
government of Stephen Harper
, and the organization's leadership has urged its members to view support for the Conservative Party of Canada as equivalent to support for Israel. When it finds fault with Conservative policy, as for example it did when Canada did not change its votes significantly on fall 2006 UN General Assembly resolutions relating to Israel and the Middle East conflict, the CCD issued a press release that was critical but that avoided any of the more strident rhetoric directed against the Liberals.
and former journalist Peter Kent
. Fellow cabinet minister Tony Clement
was formerly the head of CCD's Advisory Board. Other supporters included former Conservative candidates Michael Mostyn and Rochelle Wilner.
CCD founder and former executive director Naresh Raghubeer is a former aide to former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP and federal Conservative Party candidate Raminder Gill
. Raghubeer was formerly National Policy Director of the Canada India Foundation
.
The CCD's Senior Fellows were David Harris and Salim Mansur
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and minorities in the Muslim world such as Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s, Copt
Copt
The Copts are the native Egyptian Christians , a major ethnoreligious group in Egypt....
s, Bahá'ís, Assyrian
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
s, and Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
s.
The CCD strove to maintain a non-partisan, issue-oriented approach to its objectives. Its Executive Director was a former Conservative Party aide and its founders included two future Conservative cabinet ministers, but its founders also included a number of life-long Liberal party supporters.
CCD was formed in 2003 as a result of a number of perceived stumbles by the then-Liberal government in its foreign policies and its approach to the US government, culminating in demonstrations organized in Canada by supporters of the War in Iraq.
Omar Alghabra controversy
The group made news in 2005 when it accused federal Liberal candidate Omar AlghabraOmar Alghabra
Omar Alghabra is a Canadian politician, who represented the riding of Mississauga—Erindale in the Canadian House of Commons from 2006 to 2008.Alghabra graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in engineering and in 2000 received his Master of Business Administration from York University.He...
of making Islamist comments upon winning his party's nomination. Alghabra's campaign said that CCD founder and Executive Director Naresh Raghubeer was a former executive assistant to Alghabara's rival Raminder Gill
Raminder Gill
Raminder Singh Gill is a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1999 to 2003, and has unsuccessfully sought election to the Canadian House of Commons on three separate occasions. He currently serves as a citizenship judge. Gill was born...
. CCD was accused of libel by Alghabra and issued a press release withdrawing its earlier charge when evidence surfaced showing that Alghabra did not make the comments in question. The Muslim Canadian Congress
Muslim Canadian Congress
The Muslim Canadian Congress was organized to provide a voice to Muslims who support a "progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic, and secular society where everyone has the freedom of religion." The organization claimed to have 300 dues-paying members prior to its 2006 split.-Origins:It was...
issued a statement accusing CCD of "whipping up anti-Muslim hysteria".
Pro-Israel advocacy
The CCD placed particular emphasis on calling for the Canadian governmentGovernment of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
to adopt a pro-Israel stance, and rejected providing Palestinians with any development or humanitarian assistance and was very critical of the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
world and, in particular, of groups such as Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
and Hezbollah. It expressed its views through op-ed contributions to Canadian newspapers; through press releases; and in its public message forum. While it had praised select individual senior Liberals such as former Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler
Irwin Cotler
Irwin Cotler, PC, OC, MP was Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada from 2003 until the Liberal government of Paul Martin lost power following the 2006 federal election. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the constituency of Mount Royal in a by-election...
for their pro-Israel positions, the CCD more generally attacked the Liberal Party of Canada for allegedly failing to extend support to Israel. In an op-ed published in the National Post
National Post
The National Post is a Canadian English-language national newspaper based in Don Mills, a district of Toronto. The paper is owned by Postmedia Network Inc. and is published Mondays through Saturdays...
in March 2004, CCD Director Alastair Gordon drew a direct analogy between the foreign policy of the then-Liberal government of Canada toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the practices of the Nazi German era, stating that the Canadian government "believed [that the West Bank] should be Judenrein (Jew-free)... Canada validated the racist grievance of the Jew-killers."http://canadiancoalition.com/longhistory.shtml This charge was repeated in a citation awarding Conservative politician Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
the CCD's parliamentarian of the year award.http://canadiancoalition.com/stockwelldayaward.shtml.
Pro-India advocacy
The CCD also promoted greater support for IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
; in 2004 then-Executive Director Naresh Raghubeer penned an opinion piece advocating that India be given a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
.http://canadiancoalition.com/nationalpost82/NareshIndiaUN.html.
The CCD also supported India's claims to Kashmir and successfully advocated for Canada to establish a trade office in Gujarat despite an international diplomatic boycott of the Indian state's government and its Chief Minister Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi
Narendra Damodardas Modi is the current Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat.He was born in a middle class family in Vadnagar; and is a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since childhood, as also an active politician since early in life. He holds a masters degree in political...
due to the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002
2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
and the government's role in them.http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/ajit_jain/2008/09/24/6858851-sun.html
China
The group opposed Canada's One China policy, and urged the Canadian government to support TaiwanTaiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
instead of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. It also opposed the suppression of Falun Gong
Falun Gong
Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline first introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, through public lectures. It combines the practice of meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with the moral philosophy...
supporters in China and supports Falun Gong claims that its supporters' have been subjected to organ harvesting
Organ harvesting
Organ harvesting refers to the removal, preservation and use of human organs and tissue from the bodies of the recently deceased to be used in surgical transplants on the living...
.
Other issues
CCD advocated that Canada take a hard line against countries such as IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, and supported continued Canadian involvement in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
It was also vocal in its opposition to the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, and opposed Muslim rule in Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
.
In 2006, the CCD organized a demonstration in support of Denmark against criticism for publishing cartoons depicting Muhammad
Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after 12 editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005...
.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/03/11/demonstrators-toronto060311.html
The CCD generally supported the policies of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
government of Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, and the organization's leadership has urged its members to view support for the Conservative Party of Canada as equivalent to support for Israel. When it finds fault with Conservative policy, as for example it did when Canada did not change its votes significantly on fall 2006 UN General Assembly resolutions relating to Israel and the Middle East conflict, the CCD issued a press release that was critical but that avoided any of the more strident rhetoric directed against the Liberals.
Membership
Among the supporters of CCD was Canadian cabinet minister, Conservative Member of Parliament for ThornhillThornhill (electoral district)
Thornhill is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.It covers the community of Thornhill, Ontario, which is made up of portions of Vaughan and Markham, and was created in 1996 from parts of...
and former journalist Peter Kent
Peter Kent
Peter Kent, PC, MP is a Conservative member of parliament for the riding of Thornhill, and the current Minister of the Environment in the 28th Canadian Ministry.Previously, he was Deputy Editor of Global Television, a Canadian TV network...
. Fellow cabinet minister Tony Clement
Tony Clement
Tony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada....
was formerly the head of CCD's Advisory Board. Other supporters included former Conservative candidates Michael Mostyn and Rochelle Wilner.
CCD founder and former executive director Naresh Raghubeer is a former aide to former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP and federal Conservative Party candidate Raminder Gill
Raminder Gill
Raminder Singh Gill is a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1999 to 2003, and has unsuccessfully sought election to the Canadian House of Commons on three separate occasions. He currently serves as a citizenship judge. Gill was born...
. Raghubeer was formerly National Policy Director of the Canada India Foundation
Canada India Foundation
The Canada India Foundation also referred to as CIF, is a Canadian non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization established in 2007...
.
The CCD's Senior Fellows were David Harris and Salim Mansur
Salim Mansur
Salim Mansur is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He is a columnist for the London Free Press and the Toronto Sun, and has contributed to various publications including National Review, the Middle East Forum and Frontpagemag. He often...
.