Justin Trudeau's Acrid Hypocrisy

 

"[A moment of silence was agreed upon by] all parties in the House [before inviting MPs to rise] in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia, one year ago today."

Speaker of the House, Greg Fergus

"[The gesture's purpose was to recognize] the murder of a Canadian in Canada ... and that that is entirely unacceptable."

"I think all of us should feel safer and more secure knowing that [Trudeau] will stand for Canadians and against the killers of Canadians."

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

There was a moment of silence for Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the House of Commons on June 18. Photo by ParlVu

The separatist Khalistan movement in India itself is quiescent. Sikhs living in India appear to have adjusted their expectations from loudly and often violently advocating for a separate Sikh homeland in the Punjab, to the present time when the Indian Sikh community seems to have no interest in re-awakening a conflict that saw their Golden Temple at Amritsar used by militant Sikhs to launch a violent insurrection against India, leading to Indian troops invading the temple to rout the militants.

Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi trusted Sikhs to the extent that they formed her personal bodyguard. Yet it was from among that personal bodyguard that her assassination following the raid on the Golden Temple was carried out. The hostilities between Hindu India and Sikhs in India cost many lives during a period of distrust, rage and violence. That was then, this is now, when all live peacefully, the issue of a Khalistan sovereign state shelved.

It has been kept alive, however, not by Sikhs in India, but by the great numbers of diaspora Sikhs living in Great Britain and in Canada. A minority of Canadian Sikhs subscribe to violence in the name of a Khalistani state. They have perpetrated vicious crimes against other Canadian Sikhs who condemn their violence in the name of their Khalistan dream. And a cabal of Sikh terrorists were responsible for the single most deadly act of terrorism perpetrated from Canada. 

A plan to strike a blow for Khalistani independence was hatched in British Columbia within its large Sikh community by a handful of violence-addicted Sikhs. Air India Flight 182 became a target in 1985 when a bomb was placed aboard the passenger jet causing it to disintegrate over the Atlantic causing the immediate deaths of all 329 people aboard, 268 of whom were Canadian citizens. Those responsible were known, charged and tried for the crime. However, only one man pleaded guilty, the bombmaker. The other two who masterminded the plot went on trial decades after the event, and found not guilty.

To this day, celebrations of Sikh terrorist leaders are paraded in Canada, and the campaign for a Khalistani homeland continues One of those who was involved in a leadership role was assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, shot to death as a separatist figure. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was listed in India as a terrorist suspect involved in a 2007 bombing in a Punjab cinema. Indian intelligence identified him as the operator of a terrorist training camp in Mission, B.C.

A list of nine Indian terror operatives that included Nijjar was given to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his 2018 visit to India. At the time of his death Nijjar's name appeared on a no-fly list, his bank accounts had been frozen by Canadian authorities. A breakdown in India-Canada relations occurred when Justin Trudeau accused the government of India of having staged Nijjar's assassination. The friendship and mutual support between India and Canada evaporated with that charge, to which no evidence was attached.

 

A person walks past signs showing Hardeep Singh Nijjar at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, May 3, 2024. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

 

A week ago on the one-year anniversary of Nijjar's death, supporters of Khalistan massed outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, with Khalistani flags, where they staged a mock trial and execution of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A distinct resemblance to the pro-Hamas crowds in Canada post-October 7's massacre of Israelis, where an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hanged several weeks ago. 

A mere five days before the anniversary of the 1985 Air India bombing, the Parliamentary moment of silence was staged. The Air India anniversary, on the other hand, was not an occasion for a moment of silence in the House of commons. And then Parliament adjourned for its summer break. Before it did, Member of Parliament Chandra Arya warned that Canada failed to contain "the dark forces" that caused that terrorist attack. "Unfortunately, many Canadians are not aware that even today the ideology responsible for this terrorist attack is still alive among a few people in Canada."

 

 

"Politically Condoned Hate Crimes"

"In the light of the current environment where tensions have  heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats."

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India."

Global Affairs Canada

"You are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada."

"This has disrupted their normal functioning."

"Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis."

"[Canada has a] growing reputation [as a place that shelters religious extremists, and that it's a country] that needs to worry about its international reputation."

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, Indian Ministry of External Affairs

Sikhs protest for the independence of Khalistan in front of the Indian consulate in Toronto in July  Getty Images

 

According to Canada's foreign affairs department some of its diplomats abroad in India had received threats on social media platforms. This is part of an unfolding backlash in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims in the House of Commons as it resumed after a long summer break Monday, charging the government of India's having sent agents to Canada to assassinate a Canadian-Sikh Khalistani leader in British Columbia.

New Delhi's response was bemused and swift; absurd allegations. It had no involvement in the June 19 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a committed secessionist who worked tirelessly on agitating for a Sikh homeland in India's Punjab, called Khalistan. Mr. Nijjar was deeply involved in agitating the Canadian Sikh population toward voting in a 'separation' referendum. He was also president of a Surrey, British Columbia gurdwara.

As it happened, he was also a wanted felon, back in India. He had entered Canada, claiming refugee status failing on his application to divulge information that would have disqualified him from entry to Canada. Nonetheless, his application was refused. He then turned to an oft-used ruse, marrying a woman with Canadian citizenship, who then sponsored him as an immigrant. India had asked for his extradition, registering his status as a terrorist with Interpol.

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, walks past Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site, during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Associated Press)

 

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to India last week to attend a G7 conference, he had a brief meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Mr. Modi expostulated during that meeting India's frustration with Canada's tolerance and indifference to Canadian Khalistanis' threat to India. A threat that saw a terrorist calamity with a bomb placed aboard an Air India jet in 1985, killing 320 onboard as it blew up midair, an act of Khalistani terrorism.

Khalistan protests continue to take place in Canada, during which threats to the life and limb of Indian diplomats based in Canada are issued. Posters of champions of the Khalistan movement who have been involved in murder are revered and marched through demonstrations through the streets of Canada in Vancouver and Toronto. As are hateful posters of assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, where her visage is mutilated and covered with blood.

This is the atmosphere that Narendra Modi chastised Justin Trudeau for permitting. During their brief ten-minute meeting, where it was made clear that Canada's inattention and inaction in response to such blatant hate messages is unseemly for a collegial democracy, Justin Trudeau insisted it was he who had chastised Mr. Modi -- for having been responsible for the death of a Canadian citizen -- Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Relations between India and Canada could not possibly have sunk any lower. A deep-freeze, caused by Mr. Trudeau's injudicious charge of involvement in murder by the Indian government that will not any time soon result in a reestablishment of relations. A situation that will cost Canada greatly; the slander against a trusted ally, the sinking of trade between the two nations, an international community response that increasingly views Trudeau as a theatrical poseur and unreliable colleague.

Each country has now expelled senior diplomats from their missions over these stark tensions. India is furious that despite India sharing information relating to criminal acts on Canadian soil, Trudeau took no action. As for the charges of the Indian government involvement in an assassination in Canada, it is scornfully charged as being "politically driven", reflective of a huge Sikh-Canadian population toward whom Trudeau is playing the part of defender against an India that wants its sovereignty whole.

India has had a long grievance with Canada, accusing it of being a haven for Sikh separatists, taking no notice of the need to protect Indian missions and consulates from the group's violent protests. New Delhi issued a warning for its citizens living and studying in Canada -- addressing a huge student population at Canadian post-secondary institutions -- to exercise caution wherever anti-India activities take place, with "politically condoned hate crimes".

Protesters chant outside of the Consulate General of India office in response to the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)

Mincing No Words

Retired Lt.Gen. Michel Maisonneuve

"Can you imagine a military leader labelling half of his command as deplorables, fringe radicals and less-thans and then expect them to fight as one?”

"Today's world is also where taking personal responsibility for our own actions has disappeared from the landscape while the phenomenon of collective apologies flourishes in our country."

"Individuals and groups fight over who gets to wear the coveted victims' cloak."

"Canada's prosperity is being sacrificed at the altar of climate change as opposed to being used to help the world transition to clean energy."

"[Activists' actions tossing paint and soup at art treasures to raise awareness of climate change are] as heinous as it is useless. The perpetrators should be punished, not celebrated."

"Unbiased reporting seems to have died with Christie Blatchford and Matthew Fisher."

"[The judgement of leaders is lacking] against the standards of today. Enough statues have been toppled; erasing our history is not the solution."

Retired Lt.-Gen. Michel Maisonneuve

The national creme de la creme of Canadian political and military elite were in attendance, an audience of some 600 individuals who had assembled for the annual Vimy Gala billed as "one of the most exclusive formal dining evenings in the country which unites the defence and security community", hosted by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. Retired Lt.Gen. Michel Maisonneuve was being honoured.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada chaired the event as Mr. Maisonneuve accepted the Vimy Award in recognition of his lifelong contributions in defence, including work on military education, support for veterans, and his commitment to official bilingualism. And as he was being awarded this recognition, he made a speech. That speech making it evident that this man receiving recognition for his extraordinary contribution to society does not believe the nation has been well guided.

And, it would seem, his esteemed audience of senior military officials shared Lt.Gen Maisonneuve's disappointment in Canada's leadership, along with his inclusion of other countries, similarly led representing the free world, as it were. Lt.Gen. Maisonneuve received a standing ovation for his critical remarks. Clearly, climate change policies, removal of historical statues and victim apologies were not hugely popular among those present.

The good man's low opinion of leaders who fail to unite and whose actions instead, divide, was vented in a speech of pointed allusions without directly naming anyone in those high offices. "Can you imagine a military leader labelling half of his command as deplorables, fringe radicals and less-thans and then expect them to fight as one?" he asked rhetorically. Don't be shy, Justin Trudeau, stand and acknowledge the accolades coming your way. You too, Hillary Clinton.

Goodness, members of the Trudeau cabinet were also present; the nation's national security adviser for one; did she bow or blush? Take, for example the characterization of the hordes of people from all walks of life who supported the Truckers' Protest in Ottawa early in the year. Their prime minister labelled them a "fringe minority" with "unacceptable views", unrepresentative of most Canadians' values. He governs, evidently but not for all; those critical of His August Persona excluded.

 

He has also, on occasion spoken of those disagreeing with him as "racist", "sexist", "homophobic" and "Islamophobic". Enemies of society, all. For they are not mere discontents, malcontents, disapproving of a Liberal-left-woke government they -- though someone must have -- did not elect. In a democracy where free speech is close to sacrosanct, speech critical of Canada's prime minister is sacrilegious and punishment is due.

 

This prime minister is as big on punishment as he is on promoting LGBTQ-2 rights. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, once second in line to Chief of the Defence Staff was slandered and persecuted by Justin Trudeau on false charges of disclosing secret information relating to shipbuilding issues for the Canadian Navy; his career in tatters to satisfy a vindictive prime minister who believed Admiral Norman had defied his authority.  

He would be the first in a long list of those who were punished by the prime minister for resisting his instructions, even if they were illegal; Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould would be next followed by the Minister of Health Jane Philpott joining the ranks of the belittled and dismissed. The PM that saw fit to accept 'gifts' from 'family friends' who lobby government for preferential treatment and subsidies another issue in league with elevating a faux charity to service a government program at an exorbitant profit even as the PM's mother and brother were paid handsomely to represent the charity.

Justin Trudeau who enjoys apologizing to groups hard done by in the distant past by previous governments, has never seen a situation revealing his lack of judgement causing embarrassment to the country by his juvenile self-absorption that rated an personal apology. Lt.Gen Maisonneuve spoke of social media, cancel culture and a society "lost in these days of entitlement. Me First, not my problem and endless subsidies and handouts". 

The Trudeau government has an especial fondness for raiding the national bank for subsidies and handouts, raising the deficit and the national debt to unheard of levels. Borrowing heavily to enjoy the popularity of one who comes to the rescue of those hard hit by bad economic times to ensure they know who to vote for; the fellow who has the key to the lock on the national money vault. So that, when distressing times begin to fade, all that extra income was seen to have been banked in individuals' accounts.

On the other hand, someone must have voted these scoundrels in. Perhaps it wasn't anyone in the military; could be it was mostly those who were rescued by government's unstinting generosity to those in the much-vaunted middle class and to corporate interests where, after cashing government top-up subsidies it was seen fit to award bonuses to shareholders and boards of directors.

The People Speak : Government is Deaf

Streets in downtown Ottawa are quieter after a massive police operation cleared protesters and convoy trucks demonstrating for weeks in the city's core. Ottawa Police Service says it would maintain a police presence and continue to identify and charge protesters. CBC

The Truckers Freedom Convoy that has paralyzed the capital city of Canada for three weeks has been dispersed.  Canadian truckers were outraged when the Trudeau Liberal government mandated that all truckers, beyond the 90 percent of Canadian truckers already vaccinated, must be inoculated against COVID-19, or their licenses would be suspended. There was already an acute shortage of truckers employed in the industry before the mandate. With delivery delays and supply lines impacted by the pandemic, the mandate would mean increasing the shortage of drivers, impacting on the reliability of deliveries even more seriously.

Truckers were outraged and vowed they would drive to Ottawa from all points of the Canadian geographic compass. As they drove to their destination, other Canadians came out to cheer the convoys on, sharing with them an anger over years of lockdowns and government control at all levels, particularly laws that seemed to make little sense. Above all, mandates that deprived people of t heir livelihoods. People were tired of being harassed, of a lack of normalcy in their lives. Many people understood what the truckers were protesting.

Police enforce an injunction against protesters, some who have been camped in their trucks near Parliament Hill for weeks, on Saturday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

As always with any protests, they were joined by groups having nothing to do with delivering the truckers' message; nationalists, far-right groups, racist groups and provocateurs. Other, shiftless louts came along to party as the Parliamentary Precinct became locked in with semi-trailers and other large trucking rigs, alongside smaller vehicles, blocking major streets and extending blockages to nearby residential areas. No one in authority at the municipal, provincial or federal level met with the organizers to discuss their grievances.

So they stayed on, capturing the centre of the city, blaring horns, keeping their rigs running continually, fouling the atmosphere with diesel fumes and loud noise. There were alcohol-infused night street parties and during the day harassment of locals. Public statements from the prime minister characterized the truckers as a 'fringe group' of 'racists, homophobes and fascists'. He had no intention of speaking with them, of making any effort at defusing the situation. Finally, he chose to bring in the Emergency Act, designed to deal with extraordinarily dangerous situations threatening government and society.

Police continued their efforts on Saturday to clear parts of downtown Ottawa of protesters. The Ottawa Police Service tweeted Saturday that officers at the scene would be wearing helmets and carrying batons for their safety. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

He did this at a time when protest blockages at major international crossings impeding vehicular passage serving trade between Canada and the U.S. were being broken up by law enforcement and normalcy was returning, even as Canada's trucking protest had served as an example, igniting similar protests elsewhere around the world. In New Zealand, Reuters reported Police Commissioner Andrew Coster saying that negotiations and de-escalation were the only safe ways to resolve the protest there.

Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is on record as having criticized other world leaders dealing with protesting citizenry, urging them to 'listen to the people'. A message that fit snugly with his public persona of a crusader for justice and equality, a feminist and champion of the underdog. Indian Prime Minister Modi was chastized by Trudeau for not 'listening' to the protests launched by the farming community over new legislation being brought in that was meant to modernize the industry in India, but which farmers felt would disadvantage them. That protest was a year long in New Delhi and led to the legislation ultimately being withdrawn, the protesters returning to their farms.

In May 2021 there was conflict in Israel with Gaza, where rockets were being launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad at civilian enclaves in Israel. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saw fit to issue a statement urging Israel to practise "restraint", "to act in accordance with international law". This, at a time when 3,500 rockets were being shot off into Israel and the Israel Defense Forces were engaged in self-defence. Trudeau added a week later that "peace-building initiatives" to "support dialogue and co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians" had his ongoing support. Whose support would those expedients not have? Terrorists.

A truck is towed from in front of Parliament Hill as police work to restore normality to the capital after trucks and demonstrators occupied the downtown core for more than three weeks to protest against pandemic restrictions. Photo by Patrick Doyle / Reuters

Canadian truckers are not terrorists. Trudeau steadfastly expressed his contempt for the protesters. And instead of acknowledging the complaints of people protesting in Ottawa and elsewhere across Canada, he continued to use pejorative language in referring to them. Portraying the protesters as despicable misfits and dangerous fascists and racists, the prime minister of Canada accelerated the momentum of the protest, convincing other Canadians to join in a raucous disavowal of their trust in government.

What was a deplorable situation in Belarus when citizens mounted large protests against their dictator's faux re-election and the violence unleashed by government security forces against the populace, was a sight commonly seen in dictatorships when people rebel and they're pushed back harshly with maximum penalties involved for those who challenge such governments, but unusual-to-rare in democratic societies. Canada's example has inspired similar protests elsewhere in democratic societies. We can only hope that other countries handle their peoples' dissatisfaction in a manner befitting democracies.

 Canada's government did not.

Demonstrators continue their protest as police deploy to remove them on Feb. 19, 2022. Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images