US interferes in Canadian elections

Canada shrugs off U.S. warning to back off

By Randall Palmer and Allan Dowd

OTTAWA/SURREY, British Columbia (Reuters) - The United States made an unprecedented foray into Canada's election campaign on Tuesday, warning politicians not to bash Washington in their bid to win the January 23 election.

But an unapologetic Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin responded immediately by saying "c'est la vie" -- that's life -- if the United States did not like his remarks, and he would not accept anyone telling him he cannot defend his country.

Canadian progressives should ignore this US imperialism and support a government that is willing to criticize without fear. American progressives would do well to support them and add to their numbers.

Canada helps Palestinians

Canada uses post-Sept. 11 experience to help Palestinians run border point
14:08:16 EST Dec 4, 2005
YEHONATHAN TOMMER

JERUSALEM (CP) - Helping Palestinians face the new challenge of managing their own border, a Canadian expert says it's possible to maintain security and unhindered trade flows if there is the right kind of determination and training.

Denis Lefebvre, a former assistant commissioner of Canada Customs and executive vice-president of the Canadian Border Services Agency, has been in the region since July to help the Palestinian Authority establish an integrated border agency.

Lefebvre brought experience gained from Canada's own model, created in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, of handling difficult issues along the border with the United States.

Canada has had to put up with alot with the U.S. police state, so they are probably very helpful. It is good to see them taking the lead in the Middle East too.

South Africa joins Canada in allowing marriage for all

South African Court Rules for Same-Sex Marriage

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 1 -- South Africa's top court said on Thursday it was unconstitutional to deny gay people the right to marry, putting it on track to become the first African country to legalise same-sex marriage.

The court said if parliament did not act, the legal definition of marriage would be automatically changed to include same-sex unions. That would put South Africa alongside Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Canada in allowing gay marriages.

Elated gay and lesbian couples and supporters hugged each other after the judgement, although some said they were disappointed they had to wait longer to get married.

"We would've liked to get married as soon as we could," said Fikile Vilakazi, wearing a yellow T-shirt with the words "Marriage -- anything less is not equal".

"I'm very happy though that finally our courts have discovered that the common law definition of marriage is unconstitutional ... that the Marriage Act is inconsistent with the constitution."

Post-apartheid South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world and the only one to enshrine equal rights for gays and lesbians.

The home of apartheid surges ahead of the USA