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US deserters find no haven in Canada

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"James Corey Glass (pictured), apprentice mortician and United States Army deserter, was keeping an unusually close eye on the text messages coming into his cellphone. He was hoping to hear that a court had blocked the Canadian government’s attempt to send him back to the United States. On Wednesday afternoon, the message came: Mr. Glass, 25, could remain in Canada while he appealed his removal order by the country’s Immigration Department.

It was a welcome reprieve, he said, but well short of a guarantee that he and other deserters could make Canada their new home. The Canadian government’s effort to remove Mr. Glass contrasts with the warm reception given to deserters and draft avoiders from the United States during the war in Vietnam. And although the war in Iraq has very little support among Canadians, the situation of Mr. Glass and others who abandoned their military positions provokes a wide range of responses.

For American soldiers seeking an escape, Canada is no longer a guaranteed haven.

“It’s quite clear that the current Canadian government does not want to annoy the U.S. government on this issue and will not give any ground,” said Michael Byers, a professor of politics and international law at the University of British Columbia.

During the Vietnam War, the Liberal prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, welcomed American deserters and draft dodgers, declaring that Canada “should be a refuge from militarism.” Americans who arrived were generally able to obtain legal immigrant status simply by applying at the border, or even after they entered Canada. But while the current Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has not backed the Iraq war, it has shown little sympathy for American deserters.

During a recent parliamentary debate, Laurie Hawn, a Conservative from Alberta, asked, “Why do they not fight it within their own legal system instead of being faux refugees in Canada?” ..."
bansheewail

28 responses // US deserters find no haven in Canada

  • It appears that the present regime in Ottawa has no problems with violations of Geneva Conventions.
    Forcing these young people of conscience to participate in the invasion and occupation of Iran and Afghanistan is criminal.
    Plus we need the help. Corky Evans has retired.
    AntiFacistCanuck
    1 response to this
  • Canada should think twice as the occupation of iraq is an illegal act by America and the continued abuse of the Geneva convention should lead Canada to allow people who have objection to war a place of safe harbor. I went there during the Viet Nam era and am forever grateful to Canada and have great respect for them eversince. I hope Mr. Harper will lighten up soon and realize he is helping support illrgal actions by American leaders.
    Robroy1
  • "canada" has every right to do as it wishes . if the canadian gov't decides for the present that it doesn't want to deal with US deserters , then so be it . if canadian citizens disagree with their gov't then it's up to them to make changes ( and yes , i'm aware many are trying ) .
    malathion
  • I agree with Ms Hawn, quoted in the article above. Deserters of the US army are hardly seeking refuge in Canada in the traditional sense, and should have the self-respect and dignity to challenge the anachronistic legal system which criminalizes their activity, which does indeed seem archaic. Why is it illegal to quit your job in the army? Should you not be able to leave it with a free conscious as with any other occupation?
    mischabarrett
    1 response to this
  • see: North American Union
    TyMarshal
  • The North American Union is NOT The American Cause!! It is ILLEGAL in every sense of the word!

    As are most endeavours undertaken by this administrtion.

    Read your Constitution
    pissedoffinarkansas
  • As a Canadian that is openly against the illegal occupation and genocide of the iraqi people by americans I am in a bit of a difficult position on this issue.

    A large part of me wants to offer asylum to any conscientious soldier that sees the murderous and contemptible actions of their military and wants no part of it, but a part of me thinks that it is their duty as patriots to fight against it.

    I don't advocate violence but if there are actually any americans smart enough to see the evil their war machine is doing then they need to stay there and fight against it, not run away.
    iloveravi
    3 responses to this
  • Slinking off to Canada to avoid the draft is one thing, running there after already enlisting should be cause for extradition, and I consider it an act of a coward.

    I am not saying that they are a coward for not wanting to shoot and kill other people, I am saying they are a coward for refusing to back up their reasons for hiding in Canada after enlisting. It would take more courage to fight the military in a court of law, so as to ensure that all soldiers who do not feel comfortable with the Iraq situation can leave if they do so wish.

    This would be akin to Martin Luther King delivering his speeches over the radio, so as not to be seen, or protesters protesting from the safety of their armchairs.
    AceHardchester
    3 responses to this
  • I can understand desertion due to conscrpition, but our military, just like other free nations, is volunteer. You made the willingful decision to defend this nation, no one forced you like they did my father, or grandfather durning WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. But they shouldnt be put to death or imprisoned for they've done. Instead, double their tour. Instead of 4 years, make it 8 years. That'll make people think twice about desertion.
    Razgriz2234
  • I can understand his desire to flee. Not to mention that they have a sensible health care system. If there ever is to be a North American Union, you can bet that it will be the first thing to go.
    lecoke
  • Canada can do as it pleases in this regard. It's probably a really smart move, because if the Bushites escalate even more war... Millions of Americans will try to flee from forced military service. And I would not blame them!
    jjmaster
    1 response to this
  • You all should watch the movie Stop Loss. its pretty good. also very true. its whats happening to soldiers when their tour of duty is up you get stop lossed and sent back. its an internal draft. we're short of people and the war machine is hungry! Good movie you should watch regardless of stance.
    7c0m9
  • Just so you know, we the people ARE pushing back on this. And after Bill C10, C51, C61 and this nonsense I don't think the Conservatives will last long...

    http://www.resisters.ca/index_en.html
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28919541984&r...

    The majority want to keep him (and others) here http://www.resisters.ca/media_aug16_07.html
    kellysontheroad
  • Stop-Loss is a backdoor draft. Canada is out. There's always Cuba!
    cleansouth
  • "It was YOU that made a promise to the Honor you Nation and its Flag. It was YOU that made a promise to the American People to defend their Freedoms, Life and Liberty."

    Are you kidding? There is no reason why a person cannot have a change of heart in regards to what is best for themselves and their "Nation and its Flag.

    It says here

    http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGAMR5105720...

    "While serving there, he developed further serious objections to the war, including what he saw as the abusive treatment of civilians by the US military and failure within the system to address such abuses."

    What we'll be seeing is thousands of soldiers coming back from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder just like Vietnam. It's already happening. Can you blame someone from wanting to get out of that situation?
    matea
  • His first mistake was joining any branch of the military and believing that there was no chance of him being sent to fight.
    Disable
  • Diddo Diserable's statement. Further, a lot of people call these guys cowards, but a lot of these desserts took themselves and their families [key word] to live in Canada after going awol. Is it cowardly to see you friends die for what is really no reason what-so-ever, and decide that you would rather see your children grow up and you survive.

    I agree that these guys made a decision to join the service and should honour their commitment... no one held a gun to their head. However, I can understand the ones with families that flee to Canada because they want to live and not "die in vain."

    Personally, I feel as if the negatives of the Iraq "war" FAR outweigh the positive gains... though I am not sure what those positive aspects are be save for the removal of Sadam H.
    UWAZell
  • i guess this means that if there's a draft, i'm headed to mexico.....i can't speak french anyway....but my spanish is good....
    NaCl
  • Anyone who knows how Bush stole the presidency and how many were denied their right to vote. How the Bush Administration lied about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and know that the Iraqi war is illegal.

    Anyone who knows that the majority of those found to have been part of the 911 plane crashing were Saudi Arabian and that the Bush family has close ties with the Saudi's (because of the Oil) including Saudi Arabian Osama (yo Mama) Bin Ladin, (the reason why he hasn't been caught), should know that the soldiers have been once again sold down the river, lied to, cheated, poorly equipped and once finished they're kicked to the curb.

    How could anyone in the know call a soldier a coward? They are victims, some are where they love to be..killers that some are, and some are victims of circumstances..

    We've all got to keep studying our conditions people.
    wizardg

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