Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello, everyone, Welcome to Convet's with John Lidkey. Today we
are diving into a story that has sparked heated discussion
from coast to coast to coast. There is a petition
to revoke the Order of Canada from Mohammad Faki, the
executive chair of Paramount Find Foods. He used to be
their CEO. He was the founder and this petition has
(00:25):
been gaining significant traction. It has amassed over eleven thousand
signatures in just over seventy two hours. But even more
than that, it was labored a weekend that people were
deciding to sign this petition. They could have been at
the cottage kicking back, having some end of summer fun,
but people decided to en mass sign this petition. Now,
(00:48):
it was launched by former MP Kevin Vuang alongside former
Ontario MPP Lisa McLeod and former BC MLA Selena Robinson.
That was just it started. Now there's twenty more former
parliamentarians who have all endorsed and signed onto this as well.
Now it cites Fake's controversial anti Israel social media posts
(01:11):
as grounds for stripping him of this prestigious honor. And
it's you know, Fake has stirred debate on and offline
with comments that some are calling dehumanizing and threatening. And
it's not the first time that he's waded into this
territory on social media either. About a year ago, he
said that his business didn't need the money of baby killers,
(01:33):
something many considered was anti Semitic, anti Zionist, anti Israel
considering the timing of it took place, of course, during
the ongoing Israel Hamas War. Now, following the launch of
this petition, Faki took to social media to launch a
conspiracy theory and said that it was a coordinated, well
funded pro Israel campaign let us out to go after
(01:57):
his reputation, his business, his or of Canada, and that
it includes threats and smears and even physical attacks. And
it's only because he says that he speaks about what
he calls the quote genocide in Gaza. He says it's
not just about one tweet, it's about silencing anyone who
dares to speak up. He says he won't be intimidated.
(02:17):
Joining now to discuss that petition, the motivations and the
broader implications for the Order of Canada is one of
the key organizers, former member of Parliament. Kevin Vuan, Welcome
Kevin John, thanks for having me, Thanks so much for joining.
So listen, why'd you launch this thing?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
You know, I think for the three of us, one
of the big things has always been looking at the
hate and the vitual that has been put out into
the public sphere.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
And I think there needs to.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Be a line in the sand, Bestauant and for us,
it's what crossed the line? What went beyond freedom of expression?
And you know, mister Fox, he just like any other Canadian,
is entitled to express their views, ill informed or not.
But I think what crossed the line is when mister Faki,
(03:10):
who uses his postnominals that comes with being a member
of the Order of Canada, that is included on his platform,
that puts it there and then goes on to say
specifically that And I'm going to read his entire remarks
here so your listeners have the full context, and that
(03:33):
is that quote on behalf of literally every Canadian of conscience.
If you are a Canadian and a supporter of Israel,
you do not have basic human values, let alone Canadian values.
Your tweets and messages are saved and known to all
(03:55):
of us. They live some might not comment around you
because they are polite or respectful of whatever role you
have in society, or just don't want to roll in
the mud with you. But know this, your lack of
Canadian and human values will never be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
End quote.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
So let's let's decipher that real quick. Apparently he's speaking
on behalf of every Canadian. And again, no, it's important
to note that he's using his postnominals that provides fur
little legitimacy. He's using the credibility of Canada's highness honor
to further support whatever it is like. He doesn't have
(04:36):
to include those, but he does. And so he says,
if you are a Canadian and a support of Israel,
you do not have basic human values.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Let alone Canadian values. Who is he to be the
arbiter of what it means or doesn't mean to be
a Canadian? Who is he to be the arbiter of
whether or not someone is human?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
This is dehumanizing and he's dividing can Canadians based on
by the way uh an issue that is beyond our borders.
Then he goes on to imply a threat. I can
tell you that's how I interpreted that quote. Your tweets
and messages are saved and known to all of us.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
End quote. So for me, that crosses the line.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
I think that cross the line for for any anyone
who you know, purports to be a community leader.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
But it definitely.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Crosses the line for someone who holds the distinction of
Canada's highest honor.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
And so.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
You know this, this quote a well organized conspiracy that
he accuses us of. Let me, John, just take us
take you through this this organization. Okay, this this conspiracy,
this grand conspiracy which by the way, uh, you know
has anti Semitic uh threads throughout this. You know that
that entire trope that Jews control the world. Let me
(05:58):
tell you what happened. Mccleoud, a former Ontario Cabinet minister,
a non Jew by the way, reaches out to me
and she's like, Kevin, I'm paraphrasing, but are you as
pissed off as I am about Mohammed Faki's post?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
And I'm like.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yes, And so we're like, you know what, let's reach
out to Selena Robinson, who's a former BC Cabinet Minister
of Jewish Heritage herself. See if she too is pissed
off she is, and so we decide in the course
of twenty four hours, Les, let's look at how you
go about revoking the process the process for the Order
(06:36):
of Canada. Oh, you write to the Advisory Council. Let's
pen an open letter, and let's also put forward a petition.
See if anyone else wants to join us. Lisa pays
forty five dollars correction, forty dollars for the website hosting.
I pay thirty five dollars for the Bitley link shortening.
(06:56):
So this well funded campaign was seventy five dollars which
we personally put forward and like you had said, over
the course of seventy two hours, thousands, and I'm happy
to share that we're now at over twelve thousand signatories.
Amongst those twelve thousand are twenty seven former parliamentarians, provincial
(07:21):
and federal, and collectively we have served two hundred and
fifty six years of public service. We have former cabinet
ministers nine in total, former Premier, former Speaker, two former
parliamentary secretaries, all of us united, all of us from
across the country. And I'm happy to say that amongst
(07:42):
the twelve thousand is a signatory from every single Canadian
province and territory, all of us calling for the revocation
of mister Foky's Order of Canada.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
And it truly is a multi partisan effort. Just speaking
about the three of you who launched it initially, I
mean you were a Liberal most recently as an independent,
Lisa McLeod obviously as a PC member here in Ontario,
and then Selena Robinson former NDP. Is that nobody can
say that this is just one side of the ideological spectrum.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
No, every single major party, including the Greens, is represented.
Amongst our signatories, we have you know, some people if
you want to challenge whether or not Kevin was a Liberal,
which is fine, technically I only was a Liberal card
Carring member for three weeks and only ever sat as
an independent house Well I'm looking at Dan Mattaigu, who
(08:36):
is eighteen year Liberal MP as one example. Right, So
we do have every single major party represented, including the NDP.
Of course Selena Robinson was for a long time in
NDP cabinet minister right in the BC government. So and
of course Lisa being conservative, we also have a whole
(08:57):
number of Conservatives across the board. You know, this is
not this is non partisan. This is postpartisan, if you will, this,
because this is something that goes beyond that. Someone who
holds the Order of Canada is supposed to represent the
best of Canada. And so when someone goes and tries
(09:20):
to divide Canadians on the basis of what they may
think or the views they may have of, by the way,
a democratic ally of Canada, that is wrong and that
crosses the line.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
And I think you know, all of his other remarks.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Before that August twenty fifth post were immensely problematic, but
when he crossed the line, when he tried to dehumanize, vilify,
and then threaten Canadians.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
And this wouldn't be the first time that somebody has
been script of their Order of Canada. So it's not
like this is going out of the ordinary, if you will.
I mean, it's happened, I believe, what now to eleven
times in the past before.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Yeah, that's right, And in fact it was in two
thousand and two it was David Ahanaku who was actually
stripped of his Order of Canada for making similarly anti
Semitic comments.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So obviously we've heard what Muhammed Faki has said that
this is a well funded pro Israel campaign, and you know,
the anti Semitic undertones there are pretty clear. He says,
it's because he speaks the truth about genocide in Gaza.
I mean, what would your response be to that? I mean,
(10:38):
I think you've been pretty clear about what this is
actually about, But how would you respond to him?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
So listen, he has the right, He has the freedom
of expression like everyone else. That includes the freedom to
express ill informed, incorrect things, so long.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
As they're not inciting hate and violence.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
The issue at hand is that he is doing it
using the Order of Canada on his social media platforms.
He uses that almost as a shield on the one hand,
on the other to further legitimize He borrows from the
legitimacy of our highest honor.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
And I say that as a.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Canadian who looks up to us, to the people who
hold this distinction, And that's really.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
First and foremost the issue.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
He can falsely, you know, make accusations of genocide, but
I'm sorry he war is immensely tragic, but war is
not genocide.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
What Hamas did was an attempt at genocide.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
On October seventh of twenty twenty three, they failed at it,
and Israel did what every other nation in the world
would do, which is to defend.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Itself and its people. And Hamas attacked.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
A militarily superior neighbor and now they are reaping what
they sowed, and unfortunately they are using innocent Palestinians as
human shields, which for them serves their purposes because they
are able to win. Right now, I think they're winning
(12:21):
the war as it goes when it comes to the propaganda,
but it doesn't make it a genocide. War is tragic,
casualties are immensely tragic. But if he really cared about
the innocent civilians that are being caught in the war,
he would be calling for Hamas to surrender, to lay
(12:42):
down their arms, and to release the forty eight remaining
hostages so that a pact to piece can be possible,
so that the war and the conflict can in fact end.
But that's not what he's doing. He's perpetuating disinformation and
the very propaganda that's coming out of the terrorist entity,
an entity that is designated in this country who's highest
(13:05):
honor he holds, has itself designated Helmas as a terrorist group.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Even more concerning as well as when you consider that
you know he says, if you're a Canadian and you're
a supporter of Israel, and ninety percent roughly of Canadian
Jews are supporters of Israel, so it's hard for many
who are looking at this to not see it as
overtly anti Semitic.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That's correct. You know.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
I think when you have any sort of discourse as
it relates to that conflict, you often hear, you know,
the the prohamas they talk about the need for context. Well,
why don't we provide the context here as it relates
to the mister Focky's comments. Like you rightfully say, John,
(13:53):
ninety percent of Canadian Jews support the state of Israel.
And so when you provide that context now to mister
Faki's comments about how people who support Israel are do
not have basic human values, let alone Canadian values, he is,
in fact, with that context, dehumanizing and telling Canadian Jews
(14:18):
that they are they don't have human values, that they
are not Canadian.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
And I think that is very important, and which.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Begs the question, then if David hack sorry Hackney was
stripped in two thousand and two of the Order of
Canada for anti Semitic comments, should the advisory Council not
then be looking at mister Foki's comments with that context
in mind.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Certainly so. And he says that he has been on
the receiving end due to this petition of threats, smears
and physical attacks. I'm confident that that's not something that
you've been advocating for. I haven't seen it, certainly online
or throughout a traditional media. But have you heard anything
about this or is this news to you? When he
(15:05):
said it so that that's news to me.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Let's be clear, as someone who has had to endure
you know, my my wife's been stocked, my home's been targeted.
In fact, they put up posters falsely accusing me of
supporting genocide and all that sort of garbage that is
not that is that is unlawful in Canada, full stop. No,
(15:30):
I would wish that on no one, not even uh
you know, my critics or my my you know, enemies,
if you will not that.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I don't think I would characterize anyone as such.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
That is something that I wish on nobody. So if
there's anyone who is doing that to mister Focky, stop,
But if he is in fact enduring that, I'm sure
he would be reporting that to the police of jurisdic
and he is immensely public and vocal on his platforms.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
I'm sure we would have heard about it. Just you know, I.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Suspect that this is, you know, the tactic with which
to diffuse I think very valid criticisms, and of course
our petition that we've brought forward now that has been
supported by over twelve thousand Canadians. I think if he
(16:31):
is in fact to reiterate and during any of that,
I hope he goes to police with jurisdiction and anyone
who may be listening who might have done that stop.
That is not how we do things here in Canada.
They're legitimate processes. And if you in fact agree with
the petition that we've brought forward, I hope you will
add your name as well as for your listeners, John,
(16:55):
consider writing directly yourself. The Order of Canada has a
process for the termination and stripping of anyone who holds
that honor.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Followed that, Okay, any last thoughts that you want to
share today?
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Listen, if people want a boycott that is, you know,
it's your own dollars. You're more than free to use
your money however you want. If you don't want to
eat at paramount foods. That's everyone's right. I think what's
important here is that this is about defending the integrity
(17:30):
of Canada's highest honor, and I think there was a need,
you know, like you said from the top of this, John,
we garnered over eleven thousand at the time, now over
twelve thousand signatures on probably Canada's busiest long weekend. You know,
(17:52):
in hindsight, launching it on the Friday of the long
weekend when everyone's trying to enjoy what's last of summer
plus getting ready for back to school was probably a
bad idea if you wanted, you know, maximum reach and impact.
But that so many people took time out of the
day to sign, to share, to encourage others, I think
(18:14):
speaks to the fact that Canadians are fed up and
they agree that we need to draw a line in
this hand. This is not a partisan matter, but and
I think there's no better representation the fact than every
we have representative signatories from every single major party from
across the country and every single province and territory. This
this is about standing up for Canada and Canadian values.
(18:36):
And I hope that others who agree with us will
consider adding their name too, if they haven't already.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Well, Kevin, I want to thank you so much for
your time today speaking with me about this very important issue.
I think you know just just as a Canadian the
Order of Canada, as you said, it's it's the highest
recognition that a civilian can receive in the country, and
I think that the institution needs to be maintained and
some times that means cleaning house, and this seems like
(19:02):
one of those cases. So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Thanks Son, have a great tack YouTube ticket
Hello, everyone, Welcome to Convet's with John Lidkey. Today we
are diving into a story that has sparked heated discussion
from coast to coast to coast. There is a petition
to revoke the Order of Canada from Mohammad Faki, the
executive chair of Paramount Find Foods. He used to be
their CEO. He was the founder and this petition has
(00:25):
been gaining significant traction. It has amassed over eleven thousand
signatures in just over seventy two hours. But even more
than that, it was labored a weekend that people were
deciding to sign this petition. They could have been at
the cottage kicking back, having some end of summer fun,
but people decided to en mass sign this petition. Now,
(00:48):
it was launched by former MP Kevin Vuang alongside former
Ontario MPP Lisa McLeod and former BC MLA Selena Robinson.
That was just it started. Now there's twenty more former
parliamentarians who have all endorsed and signed onto this as well.
Now it cites Fake's controversial anti Israel social media posts
(01:11):
as grounds for stripping him of this prestigious honor. And
it's you know, Fake has stirred debate on and offline
with comments that some are calling dehumanizing and threatening. And
it's not the first time that he's waded into this
territory on social media either. About a year ago, he
said that his business didn't need the money of baby killers,
(01:33):
something many considered was anti Semitic, anti Zionist, anti Israel
considering the timing of it took place, of course, during
the ongoing Israel Hamas War. Now, following the launch of
this petition, Faki took to social media to launch a
conspiracy theory and said that it was a coordinated, well
funded pro Israel campaign let us out to go after
(01:57):
his reputation, his business, his or of Canada, and that
it includes threats and smears and even physical attacks. And
it's only because he says that he speaks about what
he calls the quote genocide in Gaza. He says it's
not just about one tweet, it's about silencing anyone who
dares to speak up. He says he won't be intimidated.
(02:17):
Joining now to discuss that petition, the motivations and the
broader implications for the Order of Canada is one of
the key organizers, former member of Parliament. Kevin Vuan, Welcome
Kevin John, thanks for having me, Thanks so much for joining.
So listen, why'd you launch this thing?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
You know, I think for the three of us, one
of the big things has always been looking at the
hate and the vitual that has been put out into
the public sphere.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
And I think there needs to.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Be a line in the sand, Bestauant and for us,
it's what crossed the line? What went beyond freedom of expression?
And you know, mister Fox, he just like any other Canadian,
is entitled to express their views, ill informed or not.
But I think what crossed the line is when mister Faki,
(03:10):
who uses his postnominals that comes with being a member
of the Order of Canada, that is included on his platform,
that puts it there and then goes on to say
specifically that And I'm going to read his entire remarks
here so your listeners have the full context, and that
(03:33):
is that quote on behalf of literally every Canadian of conscience.
If you are a Canadian and a supporter of Israel,
you do not have basic human values, let alone Canadian values.
Your tweets and messages are saved and known to all
(03:55):
of us. They live some might not comment around you
because they are polite or respectful of whatever role you
have in society, or just don't want to roll in
the mud with you. But know this, your lack of
Canadian and human values will never be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
End quote.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
So let's let's decipher that real quick. Apparently he's speaking
on behalf of every Canadian. And again, no, it's important
to note that he's using his postnominals that provides fur
little legitimacy. He's using the credibility of Canada's highness honor
to further support whatever it is like. He doesn't have
(04:36):
to include those, but he does. And so he says,
if you are a Canadian and a support of Israel,
you do not have basic human values.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Let alone Canadian values. Who is he to be the
arbiter of what it means or doesn't mean to be
a Canadian? Who is he to be the arbiter of
whether or not someone is human?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
This is dehumanizing and he's dividing can Canadians based on
by the way uh an issue that is beyond our borders.
Then he goes on to imply a threat. I can
tell you that's how I interpreted that quote. Your tweets
and messages are saved and known to all of us.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
End quote. So for me, that crosses the line.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
I think that cross the line for for any anyone
who you know, purports to be a community leader.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
But it definitely.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Crosses the line for someone who holds the distinction of
Canada's highest honor.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
And so.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
You know this, this quote a well organized conspiracy that
he accuses us of. Let me, John, just take us
take you through this this organization. Okay, this this conspiracy,
this grand conspiracy which by the way, uh, you know
has anti Semitic uh threads throughout this. You know that
that entire trope that Jews control the world. Let me
(05:58):
tell you what happened. Mccleoud, a former Ontario Cabinet minister,
a non Jew by the way, reaches out to me
and she's like, Kevin, I'm paraphrasing, but are you as
pissed off as I am about Mohammed Faki's post?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
And I'm like.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yes, And so we're like, you know what, let's reach
out to Selena Robinson, who's a former BC Cabinet Minister
of Jewish Heritage herself. See if she too is pissed
off she is, and so we decide in the course
of twenty four hours, Les, let's look at how you
go about revoking the process the process for the Order
(06:36):
of Canada. Oh, you write to the Advisory Council. Let's
pen an open letter, and let's also put forward a petition.
See if anyone else wants to join us. Lisa pays
forty five dollars correction, forty dollars for the website hosting.
I pay thirty five dollars for the Bitley link shortening.
(06:56):
So this well funded campaign was seventy five dollars which
we personally put forward and like you had said, over
the course of seventy two hours, thousands, and I'm happy
to share that we're now at over twelve thousand signatories.
Amongst those twelve thousand are twenty seven former parliamentarians, provincial
(07:21):
and federal, and collectively we have served two hundred and
fifty six years of public service. We have former cabinet
ministers nine in total, former Premier, former Speaker, two former
parliamentary secretaries, all of us united, all of us from
across the country. And I'm happy to say that amongst
(07:42):
the twelve thousand is a signatory from every single Canadian
province and territory, all of us calling for the revocation
of mister Foky's Order of Canada.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
And it truly is a multi partisan effort. Just speaking
about the three of you who launched it initially, I
mean you were a Liberal most recently as an independent,
Lisa McLeod obviously as a PC member here in Ontario,
and then Selena Robinson former NDP. Is that nobody can
say that this is just one side of the ideological spectrum.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
No, every single major party, including the Greens, is represented.
Amongst our signatories, we have you know, some people if
you want to challenge whether or not Kevin was a Liberal,
which is fine, technically I only was a Liberal card
Carring member for three weeks and only ever sat as
an independent house Well I'm looking at Dan Mattaigu, who
(08:36):
is eighteen year Liberal MP as one example. Right, So
we do have every single major party represented, including the NDP.
Of course Selena Robinson was for a long time in
NDP cabinet minister right in the BC government. So and
of course Lisa being conservative, we also have a whole
(08:57):
number of Conservatives across the board. You know, this is
not this is non partisan. This is postpartisan, if you will, this,
because this is something that goes beyond that. Someone who
holds the Order of Canada is supposed to represent the
best of Canada. And so when someone goes and tries
(09:20):
to divide Canadians on the basis of what they may
think or the views they may have of, by the way,
a democratic ally of Canada, that is wrong and that
crosses the line.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
And I think you know, all of his other remarks.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Before that August twenty fifth post were immensely problematic, but
when he crossed the line, when he tried to dehumanize, vilify,
and then threaten Canadians.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
And this wouldn't be the first time that somebody has
been script of their Order of Canada. So it's not
like this is going out of the ordinary, if you will.
I mean, it's happened, I believe, what now to eleven
times in the past before.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Yeah, that's right, And in fact it was in two
thousand and two it was David Ahanaku who was actually
stripped of his Order of Canada for making similarly anti
Semitic comments.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So obviously we've heard what Muhammed Faki has said that
this is a well funded pro Israel campaign, and you know,
the anti Semitic undertones there are pretty clear. He says,
it's because he speaks the truth about genocide in Gaza.
I mean, what would your response be to that? I mean,
(10:38):
I think you've been pretty clear about what this is
actually about, But how would you respond to him?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
So listen, he has the right, He has the freedom
of expression like everyone else. That includes the freedom to
express ill informed, incorrect things, so long.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
As they're not inciting hate and violence.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
The issue at hand is that he is doing it
using the Order of Canada on his social media platforms.
He uses that almost as a shield on the one hand,
on the other to further legitimize He borrows from the
legitimacy of our highest honor.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
And I say that as a.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Canadian who looks up to us, to the people who
hold this distinction, And that's really.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
First and foremost the issue.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
He can falsely, you know, make accusations of genocide, but
I'm sorry he war is immensely tragic, but war is
not genocide.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
What Hamas did was an attempt at genocide.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
On October seventh of twenty twenty three, they failed at it,
and Israel did what every other nation in the world
would do, which is to defend.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Itself and its people. And Hamas attacked.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
A militarily superior neighbor and now they are reaping what
they sowed, and unfortunately they are using innocent Palestinians as
human shields, which for them serves their purposes because they
are able to win. Right now, I think they're winning
(12:21):
the war as it goes when it comes to the propaganda,
but it doesn't make it a genocide. War is tragic,
casualties are immensely tragic. But if he really cared about
the innocent civilians that are being caught in the war,
he would be calling for Hamas to surrender, to lay
(12:42):
down their arms, and to release the forty eight remaining
hostages so that a pact to piece can be possible,
so that the war and the conflict can in fact end.
But that's not what he's doing. He's perpetuating disinformation and
the very propaganda that's coming out of the terrorist entity,
an entity that is designated in this country who's highest
(13:05):
honor he holds, has itself designated Helmas as a terrorist group.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Even more concerning as well as when you consider that
you know he says, if you're a Canadian and you're
a supporter of Israel, and ninety percent roughly of Canadian
Jews are supporters of Israel, so it's hard for many
who are looking at this to not see it as
overtly anti Semitic.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That's correct. You know.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
I think when you have any sort of discourse as
it relates to that conflict, you often hear, you know,
the the prohamas they talk about the need for context. Well,
why don't we provide the context here as it relates
to the mister Focky's comments. Like you rightfully say, John,
(13:53):
ninety percent of Canadian Jews support the state of Israel.
And so when you provide that context now to mister
Faki's comments about how people who support Israel are do
not have basic human values, let alone Canadian values, he is,
in fact, with that context, dehumanizing and telling Canadian Jews
(14:18):
that they are they don't have human values, that they
are not Canadian.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
And I think that is very important, and which.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Begs the question, then if David hack sorry Hackney was
stripped in two thousand and two of the Order of
Canada for anti Semitic comments, should the advisory Council not
then be looking at mister Foki's comments with that context
in mind.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Certainly so. And he says that he has been on
the receiving end due to this petition of threats, smears
and physical attacks. I'm confident that that's not something that
you've been advocating for. I haven't seen it, certainly online
or throughout a traditional media. But have you heard anything
about this or is this news to you? When he
(15:05):
said it so that that's news to me.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Let's be clear, as someone who has had to endure
you know, my my wife's been stocked, my home's been targeted.
In fact, they put up posters falsely accusing me of
supporting genocide and all that sort of garbage that is
not that is that is unlawful in Canada, full stop. No,
(15:30):
I would wish that on no one, not even uh
you know, my critics or my my you know, enemies,
if you will not that.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I don't think I would characterize anyone as such.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
That is something that I wish on nobody. So if
there's anyone who is doing that to mister Focky, stop,
But if he is in fact enduring that, I'm sure
he would be reporting that to the police of jurisdic
and he is immensely public and vocal on his platforms.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
I'm sure we would have heard about it. Just you know, I.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Suspect that this is, you know, the tactic with which
to diffuse I think very valid criticisms, and of course
our petition that we've brought forward now that has been
supported by over twelve thousand Canadians. I think if he
(16:31):
is in fact to reiterate and during any of that,
I hope he goes to police with jurisdiction and anyone
who may be listening who might have done that stop.
That is not how we do things here in Canada.
They're legitimate processes. And if you in fact agree with
the petition that we've brought forward, I hope you will
add your name as well as for your listeners, John,
(16:55):
consider writing directly yourself. The Order of Canada has a
process for the termination and stripping of anyone who holds
that honor.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Followed that, Okay, any last thoughts that you want to
share today?
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Listen, if people want a boycott that is, you know,
it's your own dollars. You're more than free to use
your money however you want. If you don't want to
eat at paramount foods. That's everyone's right. I think what's
important here is that this is about defending the integrity
(17:30):
of Canada's highest honor, and I think there was a need,
you know, like you said from the top of this, John,
we garnered over eleven thousand at the time, now over
twelve thousand signatures on probably Canada's busiest long weekend. You know,
(17:52):
in hindsight, launching it on the Friday of the long
weekend when everyone's trying to enjoy what's last of summer
plus getting ready for back to school was probably a
bad idea if you wanted, you know, maximum reach and impact.
But that so many people took time out of the
day to sign, to share, to encourage others, I think
(18:14):
speaks to the fact that Canadians are fed up and
they agree that we need to draw a line in
this hand. This is not a partisan matter, but and
I think there's no better representation the fact than every
we have representative signatories from every single major party from
across the country and every single province and territory. This
this is about standing up for Canada and Canadian values.
(18:36):
And I hope that others who agree with us will
consider adding their name too, if they haven't already.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Well, Kevin, I want to thank you so much for
your time today speaking with me about this very important issue.
I think you know just just as a Canadian the
Order of Canada, as you said, it's it's the highest
recognition that a civilian can receive in the country, and
I think that the institution needs to be maintained and
some times that means cleaning house, and this seems like
(19:02):
one of those cases. So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Thanks Son, have a great tack YouTube ticket
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.