Government defends Canadian values

» Re: “NDP’s Mulcair lashes out at Tory foreign policy” (Gazette, Feb. 8)

Our Conservative government has a principled foreign policy approach. From implementing tough binding sanctions against the brutal Assad regime in Syria, to speaking out against the anti-Semitic regime in Iran, Canada has sought out more than consensus. It has provided leadership. A leadership that has consistently protected and promoted freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world. Under our government, Canada no longer panders to every dictator with a vote at the UN.

Canada is a pre-eminent supporter of l’Organisation international de la Francophonie.

With Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s attendance at the Kinshasa Summit last October, our government affirmed our prominent role in building institutional reform, transparency and accountability of La Francophonie.

Tom Mulcair’s New Democratic Party would push a policy where Can- adian values would be secondary to the positions of other countries.

They would stymie important trade agreements our government has vigorously pursued, and they would willingly send Canadian taxpayer dollars to developing countries without any plan to achieve results.

Our government, on the other hand, will continue to promote and defend Canadian values on the world stage to attain real progress both at home and abroad, and exercise responsible stewardship of Canadians’ hard earned tax dollars.

Julian Fantino Minister of International Co-operation

Ottawa