Canada’s benevolent image and role in the world denies the true nature of the country’s past history and present actions, said social activist Jaggi Singh.

Singh made the case that the Canadian government is complicit in the oppression and suffering of refugees, immigrants, and indigenous peoples, in his talk at U of T’s Hart House as part of the Unlearn speaker series.

An outspoken advocate of immigrants and refugees, Singh was once banned from amplifying his voice anywhere in this country. Last night, he took aim at Canada, alleging that they have a larger role in the world’s problems than most think.

“Canada’s role really belies the reality,” he said. Singh, whose family came to Canada in the 1960s, has been active in many social activist causes such as the 1997 APEC conference in Vancouver and the FTAA summit in Quebec City in 2001.

The Unlearn speaker series, which hosted the forum, aims to “provoke thought in the hope that it will encourage positive change,” by creating a platform for critiquing social issues.

Singh put issues of oppression and dissent within the context of the Canadian image abroad and at home. Although we Canadians like to pride ourselves in contrast to our American neighbours, Singh says Canadians should be more self-critical.

On foreign policy, he attacks Canada’s roles in efforts to rebuild countries ravaged by poverty and war, such as Haiti.

“The Canadian government is playing an active role in complicity with murder by supporting the backing of an un-elected regime,” he charged.

He also pointed to Canada’s indirect support of the American foreign policy in its provision of troops to Afghanistan in order to allow Americans to be elsewhere, such as Iraq, and by handing detainees over to U.S. soldiers at Guantanamo Bay.

On domestic issues, Singh pointed to the case of five Muslim men imprisoned in Canadian jails without any evidence or charges brought against them, saying the Canadian government has “ruined lives by denying them contact with their families.”

Singh also criticized the activism in this country, which he says exists “within a prism of some kind of loyalty to Canada.” He attacked celebrity activists such as Bob Geldof and U2 frontman Bono for creating a “spectacle” of dissent.

“They’ve played a role that is complicit in reinforcing the power of those politicians. If they’re going to take a public role that undermines grassroots movements than they should be called on it.”

“[I call for a movement that] challenges the country and puts greater attention on local grassroots movements in order to build a culture of organizing.

“The nature of our resistance determines the nature of our oppression,” he said.