December 18, 2002

BY FAX AND BY MAIL

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall                                                               Fax to: 993-1967
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa KlA OA1

The immediate reason is, of course, the statements that he made supporting Hitler and the Holocaust. The disturbing fact is that those views are a known part of his personality and his character.

It is clear that he should never have received the Order.

I hope that it will not only be withdrawn but used as a public warning that anti-semitism is not acceptable in Canada. Canadians have personal reasons to be aware that such views are an attack on all of us. Prime Minister Mackenzie King turned a blind eye to actions by Hitler and therefore helped pave the way for World War II.

We who lost relatives in that War remember. We share the insult to Jews and we will not accept such insanity.

Your Excellency, we request that you put in motion whatever steps are needed to remove the association of this man with the Order of Canada.

                                                             Sincerely yours,

                                                     (Dr.) Marguerite E. Ritchie, C.M., Q.C.
                                                                            PRESIDENT

MER/le

Copy to the Canadian Jewish Congress and the media