Ottawa man released from Bahrain jail

Ottawa man Naser Al Raas was released from Bahrain jail Monday, following his arrest during a Feb. 1 court appearance.

“We’re happy he’s out,” his brother in Ottawa, Sadeq Al Raas, told the Sun. “But at the same time, I’m not sure what will happen with the decision.”

The judge granted the release due to Al Raas’ poor health.

He has lung and heart problems and takes anti-clotting medication daily.

“Until (Monday) he didn’t have anything,” said Sadeq Al Raas.

Naser Al Raas, 29, attended a rally during the revolution in Bahrain almost one year ago and doesn’t have his passport.

He’s now facing a five-year prison term following a conviction in civilian court for “gathering” and “spreading false news.”

Al Raas recently lost an appeal.

His next court date is Feb. 16.

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy took to Twitter Monday, re-tweeting the message “Pleased to learn that Mr. Al-Raas was released from detention, pending a decision on his appeal.”

Ablonczy’s spokesman John Babcock said Canada “continues to provide consular assistance to Mr. Al-Raas and his family and will be following his case closely.”

@ottawasunkroche

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/02/07/ottawa-man-released-from-bahrain-jail

Hospital execs’ big bucks contracts now public

SEE VIDEO http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/01/03/hospital-execs-big-bucks-contracts-now-public

Hospitals came clean Tuesday, revealing executives’ big salaries and perks.

The Ottawa Hospital’s CEO Dr. Jack Kitts tops the list, earning $517,700 with an additional $12,000 annual car allowance.

Kitts also doesn’t pay into his pension — it’s covered by the hospital.

“People like Dr. Kitts are really important to the system. We believe that in light of their contribution, the salaries that we provide are very reasonable,” said Carole Workman, chair of the board at TOH.

Workman says TOH executives earn less than their counterparts across Ontario.

“For the senior executives in particular, we compare ourselves to the large academic centres in the province like Sunnybrook and Toronto University Health Network or Hamilton Academic Centre,” said Workman.

Over at Montfort Hospital, president and CEO Dr. Bernard Leduc’s annual salary is $391,990.

Last fall, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario president and CEO Alex Munter inked a five-year deal worth $330,000 each year.

Queensway Carleton Hospital president and CEO Tom Schonberg is bringing home $312,092.35 annually.

Nepean-Carleton Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod is critical of the wide range pay.

“So Alex Munter makes $330,000 when Tom Schonberg makes less than that,” said MacLeod.

“You really wonder what is the big difference in the job?”

Volunteer hospital boards decide on CEOs’ salaries.

Workman said TOH spends a “very, very, very small amount on executive salaries. And I think that their contribution to actually making the hospital work effectively more than compensates for what might be perceived as greater salaries than the average,” she said.

The Ottawa Hospital invited reporters to discuss the contracts — the other hospitals did not.

All contracts are posted online.

Leduc’s contract, however, is in French.

The Sun asked Montfort for an English copy, but the request was denied.

“The decision was made by the senior management team not to translate general documents originally written in French,” said spokeswoman Cindy Demontigny.

As of Jan. 1, Ontario hospitals became subject to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act. The Ontario Hospital Association advised its 151 members to make contract details, board minutes, financial plans and other documents available online.

Proactively disclosing the information “signals a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and the importance of building the trust and confidence among the people they serve,” OHA head Tom Closson said in a statement Tuesday.

New Democrats want the province to cap the hospital CEOs’ salaries at $418,000 annually.

@ottawasunkroche

No easy exit from Congo

An Ottawa man’s release from prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be short-lived — he may be behind bars again in a matter of days.

“He’s not coming home,” family friend Henriette Yakibonge told the Sun on Sunday.

“He doesn’t have his passport, he doesn’t have any money. He’s afraid of what’s going to happen now.”

Yakibonge says she spoke with Fabien Kalala Shambuyi by phone on Saturday.

“You’re out for now, but you’re going to go back (to prison),” is what she says Shambuyi told her he’s been advised.

Shambuyi, 24, was recently freed from Makala Prison, where he was tossed shortly following his Dec. 21 arrest at the Kinshasa airport.

He had been heading home to Ottawa for Christmas and his family says he was one of dozens taken into custody for insulting the president.

Shambuyi was volunteering as a security guard for opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who squared off against recently re-elected Congolese president Joseph Kabila.

Violence has erupted in the Congo amid what many protesters call a rigged election process.

Kabila won 49% of the vote while Tshisekedi scored 32%, leading to angry demonstrations, and the challenger declaring himself president.

Shambuyi’s brother, Eric Kunda A. Tombe, told the Sun his brother’s cellphone, passport and cash — $3,000 Euros — were confiscated when he was cuffed.

Shambuyi has been in touch with family and friends in Ottawa via telephone, but isn’t saying much.

“He’s afraid of Kabila. He’s afraid they might be listening to the conversation,” said Yakibonge.

Shambuyi escaped danger at another Congolese jail Sunday when at least eight people were killed and dozens injured during a prison break gone awry.

A grenade reportedly exploded in the hands of an inmate at Bukavu central prison.

“The civilian (prisoner) did not know how to use a grenade, he pulled the pin out, but didn’t throw it,” provincial chief of police Gen. Gaston Luzembo told Reuters.

The Canadian government is monitoring Shambuyi’s predicament.

“We are pleased Mr. Kalala has been provisionally released,” said John Babcock, spokesman for Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy.

“We are following his situation closely and will continue to provide consular assistance as needed.”

In Ottawa, Shambuyi’s family and friends are anxious.

“Hopefully, we’re going to get some good news,” said Yakibonge.

kelly.roche@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @ottawasunkroche

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/01/01/ottawa-man-trapped-in-congo

Ottawa Muslim applauds feds’ niqab ruling

A female leader in Ottawa’s Muslim community is applauding the federal government’s new plan to ban face-covering garments when reciting the citizenship oath.

“I am very happy about it,” said Nazira Tareen, founder and past president of the Ottawa Muslim Women’s Organization.

“If we Muslims have chosen Canada as our country, we have come here, it is our duty as Muslims, it tells us in the Koran, to obey the laws of the land we have chosen to live in.”

The rule, requiring Muslim women to remove face coverings such as niqabs or burkas, was announced Monday by citizenship and immigration minister Jason Kenney and is effective immediately.

Anyone who refuses to show their face will be asked to leave by a citizenship judge. If they change their mind they’ll get another chance to become citizens.

If not, they’ll remain permanent residents.

Tareen says covering the face is a cultural practice.

“It has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the religion of Islam,” said Tareen.

“I am vehemently against it as a practicing, very pious Muslim woman.”

Tareen says she’s been pleading with Muslim women to remove their niqabs when they’re at the mosque, calling it a “danger to women” in female-only sections.

“I don’t know whether it’s a man or a woman who’s under that covering,” Tareen said.

But not everyone is so quick to praise the feds’ policy.

“We don’t know enough about what Mr. Kenney meant, whether it is a categorical statement that everybody has to show their face,” said Alia Hogben, executive director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

She agrees covering the face is cultural rather than religious, however, “we think that it’s up to the woman to decide how she wants to be in expressing her faith,” said Hogben.

“Our position is that we do think that a woman dresses as she pleases, that nobody should tell her how to dress.”

There are occasions, Hogben says, Muslim women need to show their faces, such as at airport security.

“We’re hoping for more information” on the new policy, she said.

Tareen and Hogben do not cover their faces.

“I hope very much that this is not going to be seen as an anti-Muslim rule. That would sadden me,” said Hogben.

On the other hand, Tareen says anyone who doesn’t like it — “should go back to their country.”

@ottawasunkroche

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/12/12/ottawa-muslim-applauds-feds-niqab-ruling

Occupy protesters mark Global Day of Action

SEE VIDEO http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/17/occupy-protesters-mark-global-day-of-action

Occupy Ottawa demonstrators behaved themselves Thursday as they targeted four locations in the city, as part of the movement’s Global Day of Action.

Many demonstrators donned winter coats, mittens and snowpants as organizers outlined a game plan before hitting the streets. The park — still housing tents and signs — was taken over by the movement on Oct. 15.

Demonstrators went to Parliament Hill “so that we can bring our messages straight to the politicians,” said a spokesperson.

Participants were feeling inspired by their counterparts in New York City, who were given the boot by police earlier this week.

The Occupy Wall Street movement caused chaos during the morning rush hour in New York Thursday as protesters tried to block workers in the financial district from getting to their offices.

Ottawa’s events attracted bonafide demonstrators as well as newbies.

“I wanted to show solidarity with the protesters in New York,” said Dennis Murphy, a first-time demonstrator. “I think it’s an important movement, probably the most important expression of civil dissent in probably 40 years, at least.”

Tourists were also intrigued.

Bob Sutton and his wife are in town from Camlachie, Ont., near Sarnia.

“I was impressed with how articulate the spokespeople were and how focused they were on staying organized, being non-violent, being co-operative as people who feel they have a message to deliver,” said Sutton.

They remained in the park after the rallies began, taking it all in.

Unlike many other cities, Ottawa’s movement hasn’t been shut down.

The National Capital Commission runs the park and has been meeting daily with police.

“We don’t know if they’ll be evicted or relocating,” said Ottawa police Const. Henri Lanctot.

Confederation Park is a key location for the annual Winterlude festival, which runs Feb. 3 to 20.

Sutton thinks demonstrators should be allowed to stay as long as they’re peaceful.

“We can’t always make second something that important to things like tourism and our market processes,” said Sutton.

Demonstrators returned to the park for a feast prepared by their food committee. The temperature was forecast to dip to -5C overnight.

@ottawasunkroche

Ottawan in Bahrain facing horrible fate

An Ottawa man abducted from a Bahrain airport in March and tortured underground for a month has been sentenced to five years in Bahrain prison, has days to turn himself in, and is begging the Canadian government to intervene.

“I feel terrified,” said Naser Al Raas from Manama, Bahrain.

“It means my death. I can’t take all that torture again.”

Doctors Without Borders confirms he was abused.

Al Raas is turning 29 on Nov. 14 and could be spending his birthday behind bars.

Last week, a civilian court convicted him for “gathering” and “spreading false news” — violating Bahrain’s illegal-assembly laws — after attending an anti-government demonstration seven months ago.

Al Raas was also tried and acquitted in military court for kidnapping a police officer.

Now, his younger brother in Ottawa says the problem is, he knows too much.

“His only mistake, only fault, is that he saw what’s happening in Bahrain. That’s why they won’t let him leave,” said Sadeq Al Raas.

Naser Al Raas flew to Bahrain in early March to visit family.

He was living in Kuwait and booked a March 20 return flight.

Al Raas was abducted at the airport then taken to Al-Qala’a prison and kept in solitary confinement for one month.

He says he was beaten with sticks, hoses and plastic pipes, shocked, threatened with rape, and woken up to be assaulted by masked men.

Al Raas has a heart condition and “just asking for his medication, they start to beat him up,” said Sadeq Al Raas.

The younger Al Raas flew to Bahrain last month to see his brother, who’s lost more than 70 lbs due to stress.

“When we saw him, my mom was crying,” he said.

Now he just wants to bring his brother home.

Naser’s Canadian passport, identification and cellphones still haven’t been returned, and the family is critical of the feds.

“They’ve done nothing,” said Sadeq Al Raas.

But John Babcock, a spokesman for minister of state of foreign affairs Diane Ablonczy, says the feds are “aware and concerned of reports that Mr. Al Raas was mistreated while in detention in Bahrain. These concerns have been raised with the appropriate senior authorities.”

The government has asked Bahraini authorities to “seek assurances that the individual is afforded due process and to ensure his well-being,” said Babcock.

In Bahrain, Al Raas’ fiancee is hoping Canada will act fast.

“If the Canadian government (doesn’t) intervene now it would be too late to save Naser’s life,” said Zainab Ahmed.

Al Raas’ appeal will be heard Nov. 22.

@ottawasunkroche

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/02/ottawan-in-bahrain-facing-horrible-fate

 

McGuinty brags about clean energy plan

Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty toured the new high-skills training facility at Algonquin College Tuesday touting the province’s clean energy plan.

“We are building on the skills and education of our greatest asset — our people. Right here at Algonquin College, students are training for the jobs of tomorrow which will grow our clean energy economy and help Ontario compete with the world,” said McGuinty.

The 190,000 sq. ft. facility opened last month and houses all construction and related design programs such as plumbing, carpentry, and interior design.

“This building itself is a lab,” said Ottawa West Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli, the minister of infrastructure, adding the local construction industry helped raise $10 million for the facility.

“It was a community initiative.”

Chiarelli said the facility will be used to teach “existing people in the workforce how to build green.”

Newly re-elected Liberal MPPs Yasir Naqvi and Phil McNeely were also on hand.

McGuinty reiterated he’s focused on job creation and the economy.

The province created 97,700 net new jobs in 2011.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/01/mcguinty-brags-about-clean-energy-plan

McNeely fends off PC contender

Ottawa-Orleans is still red.

The battle for power in the east end was retained by Liberal incumbent Phil McNeely as he narrowly secured his third-straight term by about 2,600 votes.

“I’m very, very pleased to serve in the McGuinty government once more. I’m feeling elated tonight,” said McNeely, as his supporters were celebrating at the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orleans cultural centre.

But it wasn’t an easy win.

The political veteran and former Cumberland councillor had two current city politicos — including former staffer Bob Monette — campaigning against him, throwing their weight behind PC candidate and lawyer Andrew Lister.

In the end, Lister mustered just under 40% of the votes cast, compared to 47% for McNeely.

“It’s true, you know, that we’ve rubbed each other the wrong way,” said McNeely.

“We have to work together to get things done for the people in Orleans.

That’s what I want to do,” he said, before going on stage with his family to make a victory speech.

“Tonight we gave Mr. McNeely a good run for his money,” said Lister, at the Royal Oak pub.

And McNeely knows how to put on the boxing gloves: In 2007, McNeely defeated PC Graham Fox by almost 9,000 votes, his second win against the Conservatives after unseating Tory incumbent Brian Coburn in 2003.

Looking ahead, McNeely says jobs are a priority.

“I think that we have to look at this problem of jobs leaving Orleans,” he said, referring to the relocation of the RCMP to Barrhaven and DND leaving for Kanata.

“This is a new day. I will be magnanimous in my victory. I want to work with everyone in Orleans, especially the chamber of commerce.”

Health care is one of the Liberals’ greatest achievements locally, McNeely said, listing the Montfort hospital and the Orleans Family Health Hub, which is slated to open in 2013.

More than 20,000 Orleans residents are expected to use the clinic.

As for McNeely’s other competitors, it wasn’t much of a race.

The NDP’s Douglas McKercher came in third with about 11% while Tanya Gutmanis finished fourth for the Green Party with 2%.

Twitter: @ottawasunkroche

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/10/06/mcneely-fends-off-pc-contender

Ottawa youth set to vote

SEE VIDEO http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/10/05/ottawa-youth-set-to-vote

Debates are over, candidates are anxious, voters are searching for their registration cards — let the democratic process begin.

Wednesday will be the first time Olivia Jones votes.

Jones turned 18 last December and says she didn’t participate in the spring federal election.

Jones hails from the Greater Toronto Area and moving to Ottawa has her engaged in politics “because I see more of what’s going on,” she said.

An estimated 38,301 votes were cast at advance polls in Ottawa and across Ontario turnout was up more than 173,000 compared to the last election in 2007.

Casandra Elinord didn’t vote in advance.

The east-end resident will be heading to the ballot box for the first time, too.

“I’m planning to vote because I think it’s about time that I will try to make a change,” said Elinord.

Across town, Hanah Takerer will be lining up in Ottawa Centre.

“I’m pretty decided — got to do a little more research — but I’m going to vote,” she said.

That’s not the case for everyone.

Robert Cloutier was planning to vote, but “I’m going to be taking a trip to Hamilton. I won’t be able to vote in my riding.”

On the other hand, Khaled Teriaky just isn’t interested.

“Honestly, I believe in the whole thing … one vote doesn’t really make a difference,” he said.

But one vote could decide the tight races expected in Ottawa Centre, Ottawa West-Nepean, and Carleton-Mississippi Mills.

And Carleton University political science professor Jon Pammett will be watching closely to see if Ontario voters decide to maintain the status quo.

“You could go back to the last federal election, for that matter, and consider the fact that there have been quite a few re-elections … very few governments overthrown,” he said.

Manitoba’s New Democratic Party scored a historic fourth majority government Tuesday, a pattern that could be repeated by the Liberals in Ontario.

“This may be a result of difficult economic times when incumbent governments are able to portray, particularly a serious economic situation, as beyond their control,” said Pammett.

“And therefore, the safest bet is to stick with the people you know who portray themselves as good economic managers. That may be a factor that’s at play in a number of places.”

In Ontario, roughly 8.8 million eligible voters will have their say on Oct. 6.

For more information on where to vote, visit wemakevotingeasy.ca or Elections Ontario 1-888-668-8683.

Tory win means so long LHINS: MacLeod

If the Tories are elected, Ontario’s Local Health Integrated Networks will be scrapped and hospitals will go back to fending for themselves led by their CEOs, says Nepean-Carleton incumbent Lisa MacLeod.

“We did it before and we’ll continue to do it again,” she said.

MacLeod said the province needs less administration and more health care, and getting rid of LHINs will save $300 million.

“LHINs aren’t plugging in MRIs, they’re not treating cancer patients, they’re not delivering babies,” she said.

If the PCs get their way, the province’s 630 agencies, boards, and commissions will be reviewed.

“So if it works, we keep it, if it’s broken, we fix it, if it serves no justifiable existence to the taxpayer, we’re going to scrap it,” said MacLeod.

But MacLeod didn’t directly address government waste when it comes to education — specifically school divisions — and the surplus of highly-paid administrators.

“We’re going to definitely work with our school boards. We have four here in the city. Some are really effective at managing the bottom line, others have some challenges — we’re going to have to work with them,” said MacLeod, adding the issue hasn’t clearly been identified in Changebook.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/09/23/tory-win-means-so-long-lhins-macleod