Jason Caron, Vice-President of the Centre's Québec LP Council, Marc Gold, President of the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, Sylvain Simard, MNA for Richelieu (Parti québécois)
Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from Quebec’s three main political parties came out in full force to attend the May 30th ‘Vin d’Honneur’ hosted by the Quebec branch of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (the Centre). The cocktail is an annual event offering the opportunity for participants to engage MNAs in a meaningful dialogue on issues of concern to Quebec’s Jewish community, in a relaxed setting.
Central to the Centre’s agenda is the reinforcement of the strong ties between Quebec and Israel. The menu reflected this relationship in its pairing of Israeli produced wines and Quebecois delicacies including a variety of cheeses and breads, lox and bagels. Those present were privy to an exclusive briefing by special guest and international expert Bruno Tertrais on the Iranian nuclear threat.
Tertrais emphasized the importance of recognizing the serious nuclear threat that Iran poses to the international community and the dangers of confining the implications of this issue to the relationship between Iran and Israel or even the Middle East. He also challenged the tendency of some analysts to underplay the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Iran, while overstating the chances of an Israeli attack.
Tertrais was in Quebec City as part of a three-day tour organized by the Centre, involving high level meetings in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa. Bruno Tertrais is a Senior Research Fellow at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique in Paris. He is sought after the world over for his expertise on nuclear proliferation, disarmament and the nuclear capabilities of Iran.
The three political parties were well represented at this popular Centre event. Among the many politicians who made sure to attend this event were: Kathleen Weil, Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Geoffrey Kelly, Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Norman Macmillan, Minister for Transport, Serge Simard Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, and Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois. Other MNAs in attendance included QLP MNA for Darcy McGee Lawrence Bergman, QLP MNA for Westmount-St. Louis Jaqcues Chagnon, QLP MNA for Viau Emmanuel Dubourg, QLP MNA for Vaudreuil Yvon Marcoux, PQ MNA for Richelieu Sylvain Simard, PQ MNA for Sainte-Marie-Saint Jaqcues Martin Lemay, CAQ MNA for Shefford Francois Bonnardel, PQ MNA for Matane Pascal Bérubé, PQ MNA for Bourget Maka Kotto, and PQ MNA for Taillon Marie Malavoy.
Centre interns Ariel Shapiro and Ruben Perez, Parti québécois leader Pauline Marois and Segal Centre Executive Director Manon Gauthier
Among the Jewish community delegates were Centre-Quebec Vice President Luciano Del Negro, Centre-Quebec LP Council Vice President Jason Caron, Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA President Marc Gold, CJPAC Quebec Co-Chair Elliot Lifson, YMYWHA Executive Director Marlene Jennings and Segal Centre Executive Director, Manon Gauthier. Israel Consul General Joel Lion was also in attendance.