US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA2891

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 002891 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR R, P, AND WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, KPAO, PHUM, CA 
SUBJECT: COMBATING EXTREMISM IN CANADA 
 
REF: STATE 155954 
 
Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA.  REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) HOST GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE EXTREMISM 
 
-- Canada seeks to minimize extremism among its immigrant 
population through a stated policy commitment to building an 
inclusive society that is tolerant of religious, ethnic, 
racial and cultural diversity.  In 1971, Canada became the 
first country in the world to adopt an official policy of 
"multiculturalism."  The 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and 
Freedoms enshrines the legislative foundation for diversity. 
In 1988, Canada was the first nation to proclaim a 
"multiculturalism act," whose goal was to set a unique model 
for shared citizenship. The Department of Canadian Heritage, 
founded in 1995 and administered by the Minister of State for 
Multiculturalism, is responsible for national policies and 
programs that promote Canadian content, foster cultural 
participation, active citizenship and participation in 
Canada's civic life, and strengthen connections among 
Canadians.  Six different days or months are designated by 
the federal government as occasions to highlight and promote 
cultural diversity. 
 
-- The Government views immigration as a solution to 
impending demographic challenges.  In his September 20, 2005 
speech to senior public servants, Prime Minister Paul Martin 
called for more engaged recruitment of immigrants "who meet 
Canada's evolving needs - needs that are identified with 
provinces, communities and those in labor, business and 
academia," dovetailing with Canada's model of "inclusion, not 
assimilation; pluralism, not homogeneity; valuing diversity, 
not simply tolerating it (rejecting racism and hate); and 
peaceful resolution of conflict, not confrontation." 
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has met planned 
immigration targets of between 200,000 to 245,000 new 
immigrants per year for the past four years. 
 
2. (SBU) EXAMPLES OF RECENT USG ACTIVITIES TO COUNTER 
EXTREMISM IN CANADA 
 
-- Mission Canada regularly monitors national and local 
press; major incidents of hate speech and incitement are 
generally reported in the media.  Because such incidents are 
rare, USG response is handled on a case-by-case basis, 
coordinated as necessary with Embassy Ottawa and the desk. 
 
-- Canada's political commitment to multiculturalism and a 
tolerant society is strong.  While there has been no need for 
targeted USG programs to combat extremism in Canada, 
occasional USG funding may be obtained for special events. 
In May 2003, for example, WHA/PD provided $11,000 to help 
cover transportation costs of U.S. speakers at the American 
Council for the Study of Islamic Societies 20th Annual 
Conference held at the University of Victoria, British 
Columbia.  Similarly, Mission Canada personnel continue to 
seize opportunities to encourage tolerance and non-violence 
through speaking engagements and representation at 
non-government events. 
 
-- Building on initial meetings earlier in the year, for 
example, in June 2005 ConGen Montreal staff met with ten 
representatives of various Muslim organizations and 
constituencies in Montreal to continue informal discussion 
and exchanges of views on a range of topics.  Participant 
organizations included the Algerian Cultural Center, the 
Islamic Community Center, the Future Movement Canada, the 
Egyptian Student Association and an Iraqi ex-patriot group. 
 
-- In another instance, on July 21, 2005, following the 
London subway bombings, ConGen Toronto staff represented the 
U.S. at a press conference organized by the Canadian Council 
on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) where some 120 Imams 
from across Canada issued a statement condemning extremism 
and encouraging Canadians to confront terrorism. 
 
3. (C) SAMPLER OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN 
COUNTERING EXTREMISM 
 
-- The Asper Foundation, which is in the vanguard of plans to 
build a Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnepeg, annually 
gathers 350 students from 30 communities to discuss the 
Holocaust and human rights with added emphasis on American 
history and the civil rights movement.  The Foundation plans 
to extend the program to more than 1,000 students annually in 
the next few years. 
 
-- Since October 2004, the Canadian Jewish Congress has 
organized inter-faith and multi-ethnic conferences in Ottawa, 
Vancouver, and Halifax, to explore ways of encouraging 
freedom of expression while remaining consistent with 
Canadian values. 
-- Individuals involved in promoting tolerance and who have 
broad influence among Muslim youth include Dr. Jamal Badawi, 
Imam of the Muslim community in the Halifax region and Dr. 
M.A. Salah, Principal of Halifax's Maritime Muslim Academy, 
the only Islamic school in Atlantic Canada with 120 students 
in preschool to Grade 12. 
 
-- In the four provinces of Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, 
Newfoundland-Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia), 
the local NGO, Peaceful Schools International, has various 
programs to promote tolerance locally, nationally and 
internationally. 
 
-- The province of New Brunswick has developed a website, 
http://www.gnb.ca/hrc-cdp/e/sayno.htm, that defines racism 
and provides guidance on how to counter it. 
 
-- According to ConGen Vancouver sources, programs to counter 
extremism among the local Muslim population are in the 
process of being established in the Vancouver area.  Aziz 
Khaki, affiliated with the British Columbia Muslim 
Federation, the Vancouver Pacific Interfaith Citizenship 
Association, and the Committee for Racial Justice, is 
organizing a series of workshops under a new program called 
"Better Race Relations" to promote better relations between 
Muslims and those of other faiths.  The Muslim Student 
Association (MSA) at Simon Fraser University has community 
outreach programs and is working to establish a non-violence 
program. 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
RODDY