MARK DUNN, "SAUCE FOR THE BEAVER: MPS PROPOSE HELMS-BURTON-TYPE BILL TO COMPENSATE LOYALISTS FOR U.S. PROPERTY," MONTREAL GAZETTE  (JULY 25, 1996).

Copyright Montreal Gazette 1996

It looks like a case of tit-for-tat. Or perhaps, what's good for the eagle is good for the beaver.

Two Liberal MPs plan to mirror the American Helms-Burton law that allows U.S. firms to sue foreign companies using property in Cuba confiscated from Americans.

The so-called Godfrey-Milliken law in Canada would permit descendants of United Empire Loyalists, who fled the United States following the 1776 American Revolution, to reclaim land that was ``confiscated unjustly and illegally by the American government and its citizens.''

John Godfrey (Don Valley East) and Peter Milliken (Kingston and the Islands) said yesterday they plan to introduce their law as a private member's bill when Parliament sits in September.

Private member's bills seldom pass.

``If the Americans are serious about Helms-Burton, we can be serious about this,'' said Milliken, who added the bill is partly tongue-in-cheek.

``If they're prepared to withdraw Helms-Burton I think I can safely say ... I would be willing to withdraw this bill, too.''

The bill would also enable Canada to deny entry to corporate officers or controlling shareholders of American companies that are using property in the U.S. confiscated from Loyalists. Spouses and children would also be excluded.

Sound familiar?

A provision of Helms-Burton would deny visas to shareholders and senior executives of Canadian companies doing business in Cuba. Toronto-based Sherritt International Corp., a company with mining interests on the Caribbean island, was the first foreign company stung by Helms-Burton.

U.S. officials shrugged off Godfrey-Milliken.

``It's not worth responding to,'' said Kevin Long, a spokesman for Indiana Republican Dan Burton.

Long suggested the two MPs have nothing better to do with their time. A spokesman for Senator Jesse Helms refused to comment.

Godfrey and Milliken suggest that descendants of the approximately 80,000 Loyalists who fled the United States and whose property was confiscated should be allowed to prosecute U.S. citizens who benefit from seized Loyalist assets.

``On the Helms-Burton principle, those Canadians with proven lines of descent would be entitled to restitution, compensation and interest,'' the MPs said. ``The value of their alienated property can be measured in the billions of dollars.''

Both Godfrey and Milliken say they are among 3 million Loyalist descendants in Canada and represent communities where Loyalists settled.

Godfrey said if the bill passes he intends to press the American government for return of his family house, Carter's Grove in Virginia.

Milliken will seek the return of his ancestor's property in the lush Mohawk Valley in New York State.