Emily Senger
National Post
TORONTO — Victims of terrorism could soon have the right to sue anyone who commits a terrorist act or anyone who funds terrorism, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told members of the Canadian Jewish Congress Sunday.
Harper said the Conservatives will introduce legislation into the House of Commons later this week which would allow Canadian victims of terrorism to seek justice against foreign states, individuals or organizations that support terrorism.
“We will introduce legislation that will give victims of terrorism the power to obtain just compensation from those responsible,” Harper said.
The announcement came during a lunch-hour speech at a Canadian Jewish Congress 90th anniversary gathering in Toronto, where Harper also received an award from the congress for his commitment to human rights advocacy.
Harper’s announcement was met with a standing ovation from the nearly 600 people in attendance, one of several during his speech.
The Canadian Jewish Congress has been pushing for some form of legislation that would give victims of terrorism the legal power to sue for at least 10 years, said Bernie Farber, chief executive of the congress.
Farber said this legislation will empower victims of terror, some of whom are Canadian.
“It’s sad to say, the Jewish community is the number one target on most terrorist lists,” Farber added.
Details of the legislation were few. In a news release, the Conservatives said Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan will provide more information on the bill this week.
Harper was not the only politician invited to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Canadian Jewish Congress, which began in Montreal in 1919 to represent the interests of Canadian Jews.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who addressed delegates after the prime minister, said Harper’s proposed legislation sounds like a good idea, but he needs to see more details.
“We have had extensive discussions about civil remedies for victims of terror,” Ignatieff said. “We support the principle of this legislation. Now it’s just a matter of detail.”
Harper and Ignatieff said they were both committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would see peaceful, independent states for each people.
Ignatieff said political parties should not use Israel as a political wedge issue.
“My party will never claim to be alone in the defence of Israel in Canadian politics because I don’t want my party to be alone in the defence of Israel,” Ignatieff told the crowd. “I want all parties to defend Israel.”
Ignatieff received a standing ovation of his own for this statement.
Earlier in the day, Green party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jack Layton also addressed the congress to profess their commitment to a two-state solution.
Layton said he was wary of the direction the new Israeli government seems to be taking.
“It’s unfortunate that the new government in Israel has stopped using that language of a two-state solution,” he said.
May also backed the two-state solution.
“Our context is one that is always seeking peace and non-violence through a two-state solution,” May said.
All four leaders also condemned the Iranian government’s Holocaust denial, nuclear armaments and aggressive attitude toward Israel.
Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom attended the gathering where he gave his first North American address, saying he was pleased to hear both Harper and Ignatieff affirm their commitment to Israel’s right to exist under a two-state system.
“I am very happy to find out there is a bipartisan support in Canada for Israel,” he said, adding he had met with both leaders and was looking for ways Canada could support Israel’s desire to re-start negotiations with the Palestinians.
But, Shalom told reporters the Palestinian government also has to make concessions. He called on the Palestinians to move the peace process forward by fighting extremists and terrorism.
Later in the evening Harper was to receive the Simon the Wiesenthal International Leadership Award at an event at Roy Thomson Hall.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan, the Dalai Lama and King Hussein of Jordan were previous recipients of the award “bestowed to leaders who best exemplify the values and actions of the late Simon Wiesenthal in the pursuit of justice and human rights,” according to a statement on the event.
Carried by CanWest News Service
