Arab Groups say Tories Refuse to Meet with Them

November 13, 2006

Source: CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2006/11/13/tories-arab.html

Some of Canada's largest Arab organizations say they are being frozen out by the Conservative government.

Although the Tories have run an active outreach campaign to several ethnic communities — including the Hindu, Sikh, and Chinese communities — Arab groups say the party appears to have made a decision to write off the Arab vote.

Both Prime Minister Stephen Harper — who earlier angered some Arabs over his support for Israel during the Israeli/Hezbollah conflict — and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay have headlined fundraisers for Israeli causes in the past month.

As well, a number of Conservative MPs have visited the Middle East on tours sponsored by the Canada-Israel Committee. Justice Minister Vic Toews has gone on one of the trips. Other visitors included Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Loyola Hearn.