Today, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard, joined with Senator Claude Carignan to announce another important measure the Harper Government is taking to protect and defend Canada’s Northern sovereignty.  

Beginning July 1st, the Government of Canada is requiring that foreign and domestic vessels of a certain size report to the Canadian Coast Guard when travelling through Canada’s Arctic waters. 

With mandatory reporting, the Canadian Coast Guard will keep watch of vessels carrying pollutants, fuel, oil and dangerous goods; respond quickly in the event of an accident; and promote the safe navigation of vessels through our waters. 

This announcement builds on new legislation passed in June 2009 which extends Canada’s sovereignty of Arctic waters from 100 to 200 nautical mile limits.  

This Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has developed a robust Northern Strategy to ensure Canada’s best expertise strengthens and sustains this precious environment for generations to come. 

Our Government has taken unprecedented action to protect and promote Canada's Arctic Sovereignty, not only because thousands of northerners call it home, but also because today it is more accessible than ever for shipping, resource exploration, development, research and economic opportunities.

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[Kathryn Blaze Carlson, National Post]

An Indian Muslim televangelist who was banned from Britain last week for "unacceptable behaviour" will not be allowed into Canada to speak at an upcoming conference in Toronto, sources familiar with the situation have told the National Post.

Dr. Zakir Naik, who has said "every Muslim should be a terrorist" and that Jews are "our staunchest enemy," was to headline next month's Journey of Faith Conference -- which is billed as one of North America's largest Islamic conferences and is expected to attract upward of 10,000 people.

Dr. Naik, the Mumbaibased founder of Peace TV and a widely respected lecturer in India, has a laundry list of views that could have led to his exclusion from the U.K. and Canada, both of which require an Indian citizen to obtain a visitor visa.

The 44-year-old medical doctor recommends capital punishment for homosexuals and the death penalty for those who abandon Islam as their faith. He has said that a man is within his right to beat his wife "lightly," although in a July 2009 YouTube video he cautioned against hitting her on the face or leaving a mark.

The "Keep Zakir Naik Out of Canada" Facebook group, which was launched over the weekend, also points out his view that Western women make themselves "more susceptible to rape" by wearing revealing clothing.

Among the chief reasons British Home Secretary Theresa May decided to quash Dr. Naik's U.K. speaking tour later this month, however, were comments he made in a widely circulated 2007 video.

"If [Osama bin Laden] is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him....

"If he is terrorizing a terrorist, if he is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him," said Dr. Naik, who has delivered hundreds of talks in India, Canada, the United States and the Middle East. "Every Muslim should be a terrorist."

Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, said he and the congress have been informed that Dr. Naik will be "stopped at the airport," and sources familiar with the situation confirmed Dr. Naik does not have a visa to enter Canada.

"We are very happy that government agencies, having been made aware of his statements, have taken this decision," Mr. Fatah said.

[Click Here] to Read more at nationalpost.com.

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