Arab groups say Tories refuse to meet with them
Last Updated: Monday, November 13, 2006 | 11:52 AM ET
CBC News
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Some of Canada's largest Arab organizations say they are being frozen out by the Conservative government.
Although the Tories have run an active outreach campaign to several ethnic communities — including the Hindu, Sikh, and Chinese communities — Arab groups say the party appears to have made a decision to write off the Arab vote.
Both Prime Minister Stephen Harper — who earlier angered some Arabs over his support for Israel during the Israeli/Hezbollah conflict — and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay have headlined fundraisers for Israeli causes in the past month.
As well, a number of Conservative MPs have visited the Middle East on tours sponsored by the Canada-Israel Committee. Justice Minister Vic Toews has gone on one of the trips. Other visitors included Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Loyola Hearn.
Jason Kenney, who is parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and the party's point man for ethnic outreach, did not return calls to CBC News on the subject.
"We don't do partisanship here. We would like to work with all parties," said Mazen Chouaib, executive director of the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations. "But unfortunately, the Conservatives have refused dealing with us, and we're facing great challenges dealing with these guys."
'We don't do partisanship here. We would like to work with all parties.'-Mazen Chouaib, National Council on Canada-Arab Relations
Chouaib will be in Jordan this week, trying to organize an all-party visit there for members of Parliament. But he said he doubts the Tories will show up.
"I think the chances are pretty slim," he said.
Mohamed Boudjenane, executive director of the Canadian Arab Federation, said his organization has also been ignored by the Tories.
"So far, this government clearly refused to meet with us," said Boudjenane, whose umbrella group of more than 40 organizations has represented Canada's Arab community since 1967.
"So we keep calling them; we keep sending them letters. But if we don't get any response or reaction, we can't do it by ourselves."
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