National

Politicians call on Ottawa to help secure release of Saudi blogger

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Jan, 2015 10:52 AM

MONTREAL — Several politicians are calling on Ottawa and Quebec to help secure the freedom of a Saudi blogger who was flogged 50 times last week after being convicted of insulting Islam.

Raif Badawi's wife and children live in Quebec.

Representatives of the federal NDP, the Parti Quebecois and Quebec solidaire held a news conference in Montreal this morning urging Ottawa and Quebec to do more to help free Badawi.

Badawi was sentenced last May to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes after he criticized Saudi Arabia's powerful clerics on a liberal blog he founded.

International Development Minister Christian Paradis was asked about Badawi at a news conference in Quebec City today and said the case is complicated because he is not a Canadian citizen.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's economy grows at 2.8 per cent annual pace in third quarter

OTTAWA — The Canadian economy grew at a faster than expected pace in the third quarter, but economists cautioned Friday about the impact of lower oil prices on growth in the coming months.

Canada's economy grows at 2.8 per cent annual pace in third quarter

Businesses beyond the oilpatch taking crude price slump in stride

CALGARY — For International Motor Cars, a luxury dealership in Calgary, the oilpatch is big business.

Businesses beyond the oilpatch taking crude price slump in stride

Today on the Hill: aboriginal families and traditional medicine

OTTAWA — Academics and legal experts are delving into the thorny issue of aboriginal parents refusing life-saving treatment for their children.

Today on the Hill: aboriginal families and traditional medicine

Aglukkaq didn't ask for apology over garbage comment, says junior minister

OTTAWA — The Conservatives say Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq never demanded an apology from a Rankin Inlet politician for making disparaging remarks about the federal Nutrition North program.

Aglukkaq didn't ask for apology over garbage comment, says junior minister

Harper, Couillard and Gallant to attend la Francophonie summit in Senegal

DAKAR, Senegal — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the premiers of Quebec and New Brunswick will attend this weekend's summit of la Francophonie which could see ex governor general Michaelle Jean become secretary-general of the organization.