Harper’s failed foreign policy record

June 25, 2015

SACKVILLE, NB – Liberal House Leader, Dominic LeBlanc, today issued the following statement on the Conservatives’ weak foreign policy record:

“After 10 years under Stephen Harper, divisive and hyper-partisan foreign policy has become his trademark. Liberals will take no lessons from Mr. Harper and his reckless approach.

“Liberals are fully committed to the global effort to confront ISIL. We can – and should – be training away from the front lines, as our allies have been doing. A well-funded international humanitarian aid effort is also needed, and Liberals have called on the federal government to expand the target number of Syrian refugees to Canada to 25,000.

“Instead, Mr. Harper has committed us to an ill-defined combat mission with no concrete objectives and no exit strategy. His Conservative Ministers have pledged that we will be there for the ‘longer term’ – comparing it to our commitment in Afghanistan. The Conservatives want Canada to be there for a decade.

“Liberals have long said that we hope Canada will be able to re-establish our presence in Iran, which would help Canadians in Iran and the Iranian people. Mr. Harper seems to forget that the Iranian regime does not always represent or speak for the Iranian people. We have been clear that this will depend on many factors, including concerns over human rights abuses and the outcome of negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran. Our objective remains a comprehensive agreement that ensures Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon.

“Mr. Harper said he will never engage with the Iranian people, even if progress or reforms are achieved. His hyper-partisan approach is ridiculous and childish.

“Canadians know that Mr. Harper is unable to work constructively with people who do not share his ideology. His last contribution to North American diplomacy was to cancel a trilateral summit with the leaders of Mexico and the United States.

“We need to restore cooperation. An active, engaged Canada is good for Canadians and the global community. Liberals will bring real change to the way we manage our relationships around the world.”