Mr. Speaker, it is also my honour to present a petition on behalf of many Canadians who are asking the government to provide sanctuary to American soldiers opposing the war in Iraq.
Canada has a strong history dating back to the Vietnam War of allowing conscientious objectors refuge in our country. These soldiers are men and women of great moral courage who refuse to be complicit in a war deemed illegal in international law and a war which the majority of Canadians and the nation's government did not support. They cannot return to the United States as they would face punishment by military tribunals and a possible death penalty for desertion during wartime.
Soldiers have a moral duty to refuse to carry out illegal orders and the petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to grant sanctuary to these courageous individuals.