October 01
MP says comments on aid, religion 'torqued'
Anders accused by lawyer of saying aid workers should push Christianity, English
Jason Markusoff
The Calgary Herald
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
CREDIT: Lorraine Hjalte, The Calgary Herald
Conservative MP Rob Anders, who is seeking his fifth term in Calgary, claims his comments on changing outsiders' language to English and faith to Christianity have been 'twisted.'
CALGARY - A lawyer and humanitarian says Calgary West Conservative MP Rob Anders told her he believes Canadian diplomacy and humanitarian work should focus on changing foreigners' language to English and their faith to Christianity.
Donna Kennedy-Glans said Mr. Anders made the remarks to her during a private dinner in June -- although the veteran politician insists his comments are being "twisted" by someone with an agenda.
Ms. Kennedy-Glans, a Calgary West constituent, said she has come forward in the middle of the election campaign because she wants fellow voters to understand his perspective.
She recognizes missionary work has value, but as the founder of a volunteer agency that helps train female professionals in Muslim countries such as Nigeria and Indonesia, she believes Mr. Anders' apparent views pose a security risk to Canadians abroad.
"If anybody in the world saw or heard that the MP in my riding was saying that he thought humanitarian agencies should go out and change religions, I am at personal risk and so are the volunteers that get on the plane and go do this work," said Ms. Kennedy-Glans, founder of Calgary-based Bridges Social Development.
Mr. Anders said yesterday her accusations misconstrue his position, noting he's regularly donated his time and money to helping organizations in Tibet, which practise a different religion and speak a foreign language.
Asked several times whether he said or believes in the views attributed to him by Ms. Kennedy-Glans, Mr. Anders said: "She is badly...
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