‘Fomenting misunderstanding for partisan reasons,’ Green Leader May slams ‘horrific’ Conservative response to Khadr’s $10.5-million settlement
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May likens Conservative tactics to 'the kind of cesspool politics of the U.S.'
While the Conservatives have rallied to criticize the Liberal government’s $10.5-million settlement with former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the Conservatives’ response has been “horrific” and that it’s “fomenting misunderstanding for partisan reasons.”
“It’s horrific. There’s a complete disconnect from the reasons that the apology and some level of compensation is appropriate,” said Ms. May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.). “There’s been an atmosphere of seeking partisan advantage by accelerating a lack of public awareness and understanding, which I think is really lamentable.”
She said “it’s clear” the Conservatives “see a winner” in championing this cause.
“There’s a lot of reasons people could find this offensive, and that’s why it’s the obligation of people in elected office to explain it rationally and calmly,” even if you disagree, she said.
Ms. May said it’s important that Canadians understand why what previous federal governments, both Conservative and Liberal, did was wrong, and that Canadian citizens, even those appropriately arrested outside the country for crimes or alleged crimes they committed, have a right “for their government to come to provide consular assistance.”
While she said she thinks some opposed to the settlement have spoken out in “reasonable tones,” much of the commentary she’s heard from the Conservative Party has been “not just feeding into misunderstanding, it’s fomenting misunderstanding for partisan reasons.”
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