Members of the NDP shadow cabinet met with senior members of the diplomatic community on June 14, 2011 in a Meet the Official Opposition event organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement.
“There is a historic relationship between the Official Opposition and the diplomatic community,” said Maureen Boyd, director of the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement. “The Carleton Initiative is pleased to have provided this first opportunity in the 41st Parliament for the NDP critics and diplomats to get to know each other.”
Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar, MP for Ottawa Centre, introduced 10 of his party’s critics to more than 50 ambassadors, high commissioners, Carleton students and others.
“The NDP believes in working with others to find common ground and take action on challenges we’re facing together,” said Dewar. “We apply those same principles both domestically and globally.”
“We’re looking forward to working with you in addressing climate change, global peace and security and protecting human rights,” Dewar told the diplomatic community.
Australian High Commissioner Justin Brown hosted the event at the country’s residence with the support of the Ottawa Diplomatic Association. It is the second event organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement.
The Initiative aims to serve the parliamentary and foreign diplomatic communities by offering non-partisan information on public policy for parliamentarians as they consider legislation and issues affecting the governing of Canada; and trusted non-partisan information and expertise for diplomats about the political and public policy issues facing Canada and the world.
For more information, including endorsements from distinguished Canadians and national organizations, please visit www.carleton.ca/parldiplo.
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For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
Christopher_Cline@carleton.ca
