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Renewal - The Timing was Right!
A number of factors came together that forced the government to reconsider the “take it or leave it” attitude imposed upon the NAJC by Mr. Crombie. Following the Redress Rally in Ottawa circumstances affecting the Japanese Canadian redress changed.
• On August 10, 1988, US President Ronald Reagan signed the American redress bill giving Japanese Americans compensation of $20,000 for individuals who were removed to concentration camps. The Canadian government would have difficulty ignoring this clear precedent on individual compensation. .
• With talk of a federal election looming, pressure mounted in the House of Commons as opposition critics challenged the Prime Minister to keep his 1984 promise to compensate Japanese Canadians. .
• A national opinion poll showed that a majority of Canadians supported redress.
• The ability of the NAJC to say “No” to unacceptable redress offers or to threats by the government in terminating the negotiation process.
Fortunately, the political climate was ripe for a resolution as the above factors merged together, creating tremendous pressure for the government to enter into redress negotiation. The timing was right.
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