November 27, 2016

The Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians grieves with the Cuban people and the rest of the world on the death of Fidel. The revolution he led has resulted in Cuba refusing to compromise its sovereignty to the United States, which is just next-door. Despite starting from a backward economy, attempts to foment internal dissent, invasion, assassination plots, and an illegal blockade which makes every economic and even cultural activity more difficult, the brave people of this island have achieved significant achievements in literacy and education, healthcare and housing, nutrition and the arts. This is in sharp contrast to Pakistan's subservience to the United States and the huge problems of mass poverty, illiteracy, low education and medical standards, unemployment and state and fundamentalist violence its people face.

Isaac Saney, National Spokesperson,
Canadian Network on Cuba
November 26, 2016
 

It was with great sorrow and very heavy hearts that the Canada-Cuba solidarity and friendship movement received the news of the passing of Fidel Castro, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution. The profound sadness that we all feel in Canada is shared by the progressive, anti-war and social justice forces across the world.

Fidel is an integral member of the pantheon of champions of the people who made an indelible contribution to the global struggle for liberation and emancipation.

Fidel may be gone, but he lives on. Exemplifying the finest traditions of humanity, in the truest sense he belongs to the world.

While the heart of Fidel may have ceased beating on the night of Friday, November 25, his legacy and work continue in the Cuban Revolution, a living example that a better world is possible.

Fidel's life encapsulated the struggle of the exploited and oppressed. The legendary playwright Bertolt Brecht captured this essence when he wrote:  "There are men who struggle for a day and they are good. There are men who struggle for a year and they are better. There are men who struggle many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives: These are the indispensable ones."

¡Viva Fidel!

¡Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

November 14, 2016

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

Re: Canada-Cuba Relations

I am writing to you on behalf of the Canadian Network On Cuba (CNC), which represents more than 20 Canada-Cuba friendship and solidarity organizations from Vancouver to Halifax. One of the CNC’s principal objectives is advocating that Canadian foreign policy regarding Cuba remains based on equality and respect for the island's sovereignty and right of self-determination.

Today, October 26, the United Nations by a vote of 191 to 0 (with 2 abstentions, the United States and Israel) overwhelmingly condemned Washington's more than five decade long economic war against Cuba. This represents the 25th consecutive year that the UN has rejected U.S. attempts to impose its imperial will on Cuba through coercion by the unilateral commercial, economic and financial blockade of Cuba.