Prime Minister Stephen Harper has twice impugned Canada’s reputation on the world stage at the Security and Prosperity Partnership Summit in Mexico, Liberal International Trade Critic Scott Brison said today.
In the first instance, the Prime Minister hid from harsh criticism by Mexican President Felipe Calderon by blaming Canada’s refugee system for his decision to slap visa restrictions on Mexico without notice.
“Instead of taking responsibility for failing to propose any refugee reforms over three and half years in government, Mr. Harper blames Canada,” said Mr. Brison. “Instead of using the Summit to advance our trade agenda by focusing on ‘Buy American’ policies, Mr. Harper has wasted valuable face-time with foreign leaders and embarrassed Canadians once again.”
Secondly, in a television interview today, Conservative Minister Peter Van Loan revealed that the Prime Minister blamed other political parties to explain his failure to tackle organized crime to Mexican officials, instead of taking responsibility for introducing his crime bill in the Senate only days before its adjournment.
“The reality is the Liberals supported the Crime bill in question,” added Mr. Brison. “In fact, the government was in no great hurry to have the Bill passed as the Conservatives only addressed it for the first time in the Senate on June 22nd, the day before the Senate adjourned for the summer.”
“Hardworking Canadians deserve a Prime Minister who will use important opportunities like this Summit to fight for them on important issues like international trade, which will help bring back some of the 483,000 full-time jobs lost in Canada since last October.”
