Framework

Name

     The Coalition of Arab Canadian Professionals and Community Associations hereinafter       referred to as CAPCA.

Nature

1. Representing the common interests of its member associations, organizations and/or individuals.
   
2. Cooperating with other groups and/or individuals that share these common interests.

Objectives

1. To develop guiding principles to improve the status and profile of Canadian Arab communities in Canada.
   
2. To pursue solutions based on international law, human rights, democracy and justice, especially in Canada and the Arab World.

Membership

1. A coalition of Arab Canadian Professionals and Community Associations and/or individuals committed to the realization of the objectives stated above.
   
2. Groups and individuals that share the common objectives of CAPCA are encouraged to become new members.

Structure

     CAPCA is a voluntary umbrella coalition that makes decisions through democratic processes       at formal meetings according to its bylaws.

Process

     To realize the objectives, CAPCA works toward implementing the following policies and      principles:

1. Establishing a community-based taskforce to monitor the media, governments, groups or individuals for any defamation or racially motivated acts against Arabs. Legal actions can be pursued where needed.
   
2. Requesting establishment of a Federal government appointed taskforce to make recommendations aiming at preventing discrimination and/or defamation against members or groups of Arab communities in Canada.
   
3. CAPCA will cooperate with existing taskforces and organizations performing similar functions.
   
4. Working towards:

   (A) Achieving permanent and proportional representation of the Canadian Arab communities at all levels, including political appointments (i.e. Senate, senior government offices, etc.); and

   (B) The presence of elected politicians from the Canadian Arab communities in the House of Commons, by providing them with platforms and support. 

5. Actively participating in the development and implementation of government policies by sitting on committees and acting as a think-tank for policy-making bodies.
   
6. Cooperating with the Canadian Arab Federation, the Canadian Islamic Congress, the National Council on Canada Arab Relations, Council on American Islamic Relations – Canada (CAIR – Canada), and other Canadian organizations in challenging all bills or acts that can be interpreted as being directed against Canadian Arabs.
   
7. Holding regular meetings with senior officials of all Canadian political parties, in order to convey our concerns and proposals pertaining to community issues.
   
8. Utilizing various tools (Communiqués, press releases, position papers, etc.) to communicate issues of relevance to the Canadian Arab communities.
   
9. Encourage Canadian Leadership in pursuing policies that strengthen developmental and democratic prospects for peoples worldwide.
   
10. Support a strengthened United Nations as primary instrument for pursuing conflict resolutions worldwide.
    
11. Promote Princeton Principles on Universal Jurisdiction for persecution of crimes against humanity under international law, in national courts.
    
12. Collaborate with all those wishing to contribute to finding a just resolution of conflicts involving Arab countries and in particular in supporting.
    
    

    • (A) Palestinian self-determination leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state;
      
    • (B) The lifting of destructive and counter-productive economic sanctions against Iraqi people;
      
    • (C)andThe condemnation of all terrorist acts against civilians, including state terrorism against Palestinians.
      
13. Encouraging Canada: