Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Bernier’s UN speech another missed opportunity
OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier missed another golden opportunity today to finally make Canada a world leader in peacekeeping and multilateralism according to NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre), and NDP Peace Advocate and International Development Critic Alexa McDonough (Halifax).
“This speech was an opportunity for the Harper Conservatives to articulate a much needed change in its foreign policy direction. Instead, Bernier stuck to this government’s narrow foreign policy vision,” said Dewar. “This government has but one foreign policy vision – a military campaign in Afghanistan.”
“Harper’s government has been a laggard on the international stage. Regrettably, this speech is a clear sign that’s not going to change any time soon,” added McDonough. “Minister Bernier talked about Canadian values – of democracy, freedom, human rights and respect for the rule of law - but his government has dropped the ball on UN declarations on indigenous rights and cluster bombs. They have virtually abandoned peacekeeping and they are willfully silent as detainees are transferred for torture by Afghan troops.”
McDonough pointed out that the government has been shirking their development aid obligations and have reneged on their binding Kyoto obligations without so much as an apology.
“Everyday Canadians want to see a new direction from this government,” said Dewar. “They want Canada to be a global leader on aid and peace. This government needed to take Canada in a new direction but showed again today they are not up to the task.”
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 3:42 PM 
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