Trade ties with Russia dogged by rights concerns
Conservatives pursuing relationship with Moscow even as they criticize regime
OTTAWA — Questions are being raised after officials confirmed Russia remains a top trade priority for the federal government despite anger over its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad, concerns over its human-rights record and a high-profile spy case.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird have refused to mince words as they’ve criticized Russia for obstructing international action on Syria.
They have also taken issue with what Baird described as “hateful” anti-gay legislation as well as Russia’s overall human-rights record, while a naval officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February for selling military secrets to the Russians.
Yet records show that the same day Harper was criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland this June for “supporting the thugs of the Assad regime,” two federal ministers were in Moscow talking business.
International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz met their Russian counterparts for two days in hopes of reducing barriers for Canadian exporters and agricultural producers.
A government website set up for businesses looking to expand overseas also says Canadian diplomats in Moscow are “reaching out to Russian officials and business community leaders to promote Canada as a ‘top of mind’ partner.”
Trade between Canada and Russia skyrocketed to $2.65 billion last year from $179 million in 1999, while Canadian companies had about $4.8 billion invested in the country by the end of 2012.
The fact two federal ministers were in Moscow talking trade at the same time Harper was criticizing Russia for supporting the Syrian government effectively undermines whatever point the prime minister was trying to make, said NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar.
“After a while, the Russians are going to see there’s a pattern here, namely that there’s a lot of rhetoric but it’s not backed up by anything.”