Terrorism victims will be allowed to sue, PM says

Legislation to be introduced next week

TORONTO - Victims of terrorism could soon have the right to sue anyone who commits a terrorist act or anyone who funds terrorism, the Prime Minister told members of the Canadian Jewish Congress yesterday.

Stephen Harper stood against a backdrop of red, white and blue Canadian and Israeli flags and said the Conservatives will introduce legislation into the House of Commons next week, which would allow Canadian victims of terrorism to seek justice against foreign states, individuals or organizations that support terrorism.

"We will introduce legislation that will give victims of terrorism the power to obtain just compensation from those responsible," Mr. Harper said.

The announcement came during a lunch-hour speech at a Canadian Jewish Congress 90th anniversary gathering in Toronto, where Mr. Harper also received an award from the congress for his commitment to human rights advocacy.

Mr. Harper's announcement of the new legislation was met with a standing ovation from the nearly 600 people in attendance, one of several during his speech.

The Canadian Jewish Congress has been pushing for some form of legislation that would give victims of terrorism the legal power to sue for at least 10 years, said Canadian Jewish Congress chief executive Bernie M. Farber.

Mr. Farber said this legislation will empower victims of terror, some of whom are Canadian.

"It's sad to say, the Jewish community is the number one target on most terrorist lists," Mr. Farber said.

Details of the legislation were few. In a news release, the Conservatives said Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan will provide more information on the bill this week.

Mr. Harper was not the only politician invited to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Canadian Jewish Congress, which began in Montreal in 1919 as a body to represent the interests of Canadian Jews.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff spoke after Mr. Harper. Mr. Ignatieff said Mr. Harper's proposed legislation sounded like a good idea, but he needed to see more details next week.

"We have had extensive discussions about civil remedies for victims of terror," Mr. Ignatieff told reporters after his speech. "We support the principle of this legislation. Now it's just a matter of detail."

Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff said they were both committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would see peaceful independent states for each country.

Mr. Ignatieff said political parties should not use Israel as a political wedge issue.

"My party will never claim to be alone in the defence of Israel in Canadian politics because I don't want my party to be alone in the defence of Israel," Mr. Ignatieff told the crowd. "I want all parties to defend Israel."

Mr. Ignatieff received a standing ovation of his own for this statement.

Earlier in the day, Green party leader Elizabeth May and NDP leader Jack Layton also addressed the congress to profess their commitment to a two-state solution. Mr. Layton said he was wary of the direction the new Israeli government seems to be taking.

"It's unfortunate that the new government in Israel has stopped using that language of a two-state solution," he said.

Ms. May also backed the two-state solution.

"Our context is one that is always seeking peace and nonviolence through a two-state solution," Ms. May said.

All four leaders also condemned the Iranian government's Holocaust denial, nuclear armaments and aggressive attitude towards Israel.

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom attended the gathering where he gave his first North American address, saying he was pleased to hear both Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff affirm their commitment to Israel's right to exist under a two-state system.

"I am very happy to find out there is a bi-partisan support in Canada for Israel," he said, adding he had met with both leaders and was looking for ways Canada could support Israel's desire to re-start negotiations with the Palestinians.

But, Mr. Shalom told reporters that the Palestinian government also has to make concessions. He called on the Palestinians to move the peace process forward by fighting extremists and terrorism.