Canadian MP calls for rejection of visa for former US Vice-President

New Democratic Party (NDC) MP and immigration critic Don Davies has publicly called on the Canadian Government to stop Dick Cheney from entering Canada.  Mr Cheney - who was Vice President of the United States in George W Bush's administration and Defense Secretary under George H W Bush - plans to attend an event in Vancouver this week to promote his memoirs.

Mr Davies told the Canadian Parliament that some of Mr Cheney's past statements and policy decisions contravene Canadian and international law and that he should therefore not be granted entry to Canada.

In particular, Mr Davies takes issue with Cheney's authorising and endorsement of the practices of water boarding and sleep deprivation as methods of interrogation.

"Sections 35 and 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act have a number of provisions that directly state that anybody who has engaged in those practices is inadmissible to Canada. So I'm just calling on the immigration minister to enforce the law," he said.

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has not commented specifically on the Cheney visit, but his office has reiterated that Canadian visa decisions are made on a case-by-case basis in adherence to immigration legislation.

Other stakeholders including peace activists and political demonstrators are also supporting the motion to bar Cheney from Canada.  The Canadian website 'stop war' describes Cheney as "an unrepentant torture and war advocate" and is urging members of the public to protest the visit and "give him the welcome he deserves".