News that Omar Khadr would be receiving a $10.5 million settlement from the federal Liberal government has prompted an immediate reaction from Gerry Ritz.
The money is meant to compensate Khadr for human rights violations suffered in Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. But Ritz called the decision wrong-headed.
“Common sense is under unnecessary fire as Justin Trudeau prepares to gift convicted terrorist Omar Khadr $10 million,” said Ritz, MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster, in a statement.
“There has been no court process that demands the Liberals do this. How can Trudeau justify that Canadian service men and women who give their lives to defend our rights and freedoms, including Khadr’s, get a pittance of the financial compensation now offered to Khadr, a man who admits to fighting against Canadian and allied soldiers.”
Ritz added in his statement that Trudeau “continues to fight our veterans in court after many have died in defense of the Canadian liberties that we hold dear.
“Rather than Trudeau and his Liberal government’s precedent setting apology and funding of this convicted terrorist, they must focus on the many Canadian communities and organizations struggling for funding,” said Ritz.
He pointed to Conservative demands that the government commit $19 million over five years towards autism, which impacts one out of 68 children.
Ritz also suggested in the news release that if Khadr is truly sorry that he should flow any money he received to the widow and family of the U.S. medic that was killed. Sgt. Christopher Speer was killed by a grenade in Afghanistan.
“The vast majority of clearer thinking Canadians agree that this Justin Trudeau Liberal decision is wrong-headed and mean-spirited.”
The Khadr settlement also raised the ire of opposition leader Andrew Scheer. On Twitter he stated: “Canadians know this is wrong. If Omar Khadr is truly sorry for what he did, he'll give every cent to Tabitha Speer and her two children.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has joined the opposition with a petition calling on the Trudeau government to revoke its $10 million payout to Khadr.
They report that in just two days there have been 52,000 signatures.
“With over 52,000 names in under 48 hours, it is clear this issue has struck a nerve,” said CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick in a statement.
“The notion of giving $10 million in taxpayer money to Khadr is so outrageous that many Canadians are simply beside themselves.”
