Revenge of the Loyalists

The following was published as a response to the Helms-Burton Act (the U.S. law that punishes foreign companies who do business with Cuba) by two Canadian Members of Parliament:

"Following the new moral standard of international jurisprudence set by the Helms-Burton law, Members of Parliament John Godfrey and Peter Milliken will introduce the Godfrey-Milliken law. The bill would permit the descendents of the United Empire Loyalists who fled the United States in the years following the 1776 American Revolution to reclaim land that is rightfuly theirs, land that was confiscated unjustly and illegaly by the American government and its citizens. The bill would also enable Canada to exclude corporate officers (as well as their spouses and children) who trafficked in this confiscated property.
The Loyalists' descendants now number three million Canadians. In keeping with the Helms-Burton principle, these Cnadians would be entitled to restitution, compensation, and interest. The value of their alienated property can be measured in billions of dollars.
John Godfrey and Peter Milliken are both of Loyalist descent and represent communities where Loyalists settled. Following passage of the bill, John Godfrey intends to press the American government for the recovery of his family home, Carters' Grove, in Virginia. Peter Milliken intends to press for the return of his ancestors' property in lush Mohawk Valley of New York State."


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