Mid-Year Ottawa Office Report, September 1, 2007 - January 15, 2008

       (For the meeting of the Mennonite Central Committee Canada board on February 1, 2008)

This report includes a review of our work and some reflections. As in the past, much of our work relates to that of other MCCC offices and to that of coalitions in which MCCC is a member. This may make it appear that our work is scattered but in reality each activity is focussed and each, we believe, contributes to MCCC’s mandate of relief, development, justice and peace.

A Review of the Work

1. Middle East: We arranged meetings with government people for Trey and Jessica Hulsey, a new MCC couple going out to Bethlehem, to help them understand Canadian policies, and for Zoughbi Zoughbi, a Palestinian from Bethlehem, to help him convey concerns about government policies. We also did considerable work on the Kairos paper, “Economic Advocacy Measures,” adopted by the Kairos board in September. Other activities included, giving a speech to Catholic leaders, meeting with a WCC representative, participating in MCCC’s Middle East Working Group, helping with MCCC’s November 26 letter, and interacting with a Mennonite pastor.

2. Iran and Afghanistan: At the suggestion of a friend in the Iranian Embassy, we began to plan a “roundtable”, together with Project Ploughshares on Iran’s nuclear policies. Organizing this event, now scheduled for March in Ottawa, has taken considerable time. Regarding the September meeting in New York with President Ahmadinejad, we responded to Bert Lobe’s request and, among other things, got several Canadian participants to the event, notably Bruce Clemenger from the EFC and Karen Hamilton of the Canadian Council of Churches. On Afghanistan, we participated in a half-day workshop in Toronto organized by Project Ploughshares and in two NGO meetings in Ottawa. One featured a senior diplomat and long time of friend of MCC who’d just returned from five months in Afghanistan; the other was to prepare for a meeting with the Manley Panel.

3. Africa and Latin America: We made a presentation on Canadian policies toward Africa to the MCC Peace Committee meeting in Winnipeg, participated in an Ottawa meeting of the Sudan Inter-Agency Reference Group, corresponded with certain MCC workers in Africa, and engaged appropriate Foreign Affairs officials. We also made a number of inquiries in relation to a human rights project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and responded to an inquiry about the plight of Eritrean refugees. On Latin America, we hosted MCC’s advocacy workers from Colombia and Haiti and arranged meetings with Foreign Affairs and Immigration officials for them, and engaged in related correspondence.

4. Conscientious Objectors/Military Deserters: We made a submission, “Conscientious Objection in a New Context” to the Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Its hearing, held on December 6, were on whether there should be special measures to allow US deserters to stay in Canada. We showed that historically Canada has been generous towards conscientious objectors and took the occasion to press for a better recognition of COs generally. In this regard we are very pleased that a Muslim CO from Turkey, whose claim to refugee status had been rejected, has now been allowed to stay on “humanitarian and compassionate” grounds. We had made an appeal to the Minister on his behalf. Turkey has compulsory military service and no provisions for conscientious objectors.

5. Low German Documentation Work: One highlight was the government’s introduction, in early December, of a bill to amend the Citizenship Act. This bill (C - 37), if it passes, will ease some of our longstanding concerns. The introduction of the bill brought inquiries from government people and from the media as to our views. We also hosted a telephone conference with workers from various parts of the hemisphere, and responded to many inquiries. We also responded to two MCC reviews of aspects of this work and I spoke at an event in Aylmer, Ontario.

6. Other: We sent information about developments in Ottawa to various MCC workers; we received an MDS leader and learned about their interaction with the government and how we might assist; we did some research for the CCIC on donor coordination in relation to certain Christian organizations in the Middle East. I spoke at a “refugee rally” at the Ottawa Unitarian church. We worked on getting a speaker for an MCC Alberta event. We also attended “open house” events at the Ottawa offices of World Vision and Citizens for Public Justice, participated in the first annual Inter-faith Prayer Breakfast on Parliament Hill, went to the MCCC National Programs department staff retreat, and welcomed Stefan Cherry who will join the office as domestic policy analyst, an area in which Sandra Elgersma served until last June.

7. Monica continued to help Deo Namwira with “public engagement” funding from CIDA; she also participated in a conference organized by Mines Action Canada to mark the 10th anniversary of the anti-landmines treaty. She completed the annual Governmental Communications Register, got visas for outgoing MCC workers, and helped in many other ways.

Are There Questions of Judgement in Relation to this Work?

Most of these activities involve questions of judgement. On the Middle East, certainly the Kairos “Economic Advocacy Measures” paper deals with matters that are complex and sensitive in many ways. On Iran, is there value in us holding a roundtable on such contentious issues? On Afghanistan, what should we propose on the question of Canadian involvement and how much effort should we devote to that when many other groups are already working on it? Regarding military deserters from the US, how hard should we press for special measures when thousands of others are also seeking admission? On the bill to amend the Citizenship Act, should we join others in pressing for amendments to the bill, when doing that will make the process longer and risk losing the bill altogether? And how much time should we devote to writing about our work for the church press? The views of board members on these and other questions are appreciated.

Concluding Comments

Since I will leave the Office in September, this is the last time that I will appear before the board. One could use this occasion to write about the accomplishments and the regrets, about things that have gone well and those that have been frustrating, and about things that have changed and those that have stayed the same. One could also reflect the role of the Ottawa Office, the organization of MCCC, the character of the constituency, the methods of trying to influence government, the issues that need attention, the challenges that lie ahead, etc.

Instead, I will simply express some words of gratitude for this work: it has been challenging and meaningful; it drew on many parts of my experience and educational background; it allowed me to contribute to the calling of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches of Canada; and it brought me into contact with individuals who have greatly enriched my life. To God, for protection and guidance, to Marlene and our children for their support, to the people around me, including those in my congregation and in the Office (Monica Scheifele, Freda Enns, and Joanne Epp served the longest) and to MCCC and its supporting churches for giving me this opportunity, I want to say thank you.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Janzen