“The Government is pleased that the Supreme Court has recognized the ‘constitutional responsibility of the executive to make decisions on matters of foreign affairs in the context of complex and ever-changing circumstances, taking into account Canada’s broader interests.’
Whew, I dodged a bullet there. I would have had to tell His Majesty the bad news if it had gone the other way and boy, I was not looking forward to that conversation.
The Supreme Court overturned two previous lower court decisions and ruled that the Government is not required to ask for accused terrorist Omar Khadr’s return to Canada. Omar Khadr faces very serious charges including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, material support for terrorism, and spying.
I am just going to ignore the whole substance of the ruling, the part where it says that Khadr's rights are still being violated and instead roll out my usual banal talking points.
The Government will carefully review the Supreme Court’s ruling and determine what further action is required.”
Khadr is to be tried (am I correct in using that word?) in July. We will get back to you after he is found guilty and say there is nothing we can do. If you can't wait that long, well you already know what I am going to say, so it won't be a surprise.
The question I want to know is whether Harper just wants to avoid dealing with the Khadr issue, as you imply, or if the government actually thinks extralegal, indefinite detainment and military courts are the right policy for dealing with international terrorism. Mr. Ignatieff should spend less time re-igniting culture wars with his call for abortion funding no one is opposing and poke Harper in the eye with the PM's questionable views on neoconservative illegal detention. That is, if anyone takes Ignatieff's words on terrorism seriously anymore.
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