Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from the role and would not stand for elections, reports Agence France Presse.
Speaking in parliament Mr Baird, outlining details of his conversation with the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said,
“I expressed my intention not to run in the next general election…. and I also expressed my intention to stand down as a member of parliament.. in the weeks ahead.”
John Baird has been vocal on the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka over past years. Speaking to the Tamil Guardian last year, he listed his 3 biggest concerns with Sri Lanka as the “lack of accountability for war crimes, lack of meaningful reconciliation with the Tamil minority and the ongoing trend of authoritarian politics.”
“We are incredibly focused to get the government of Sri Lanka to take a different path,” he added.
Commenting on the Sri Lankan government’s ban of Tamil diaspora organisations last year, Mr Baird said,
“We are deeply concerned that Canadians have been identified and singled out for attention as has the government of Canada. We remain focused on doing all we can to help the Tamil minority live in peace and security with their neighbours.”
Canada calls on Maithri to address accountability and devolution (09 Jan 2015)
Canada is 'incredibly focused' to get Sri Lanka to take a different path says Foreign Minister (12 Jun 2014)
Canada questions motive behind diaspora bans, says will not help reconciliation (08 Apr 2014)
Speaking in parliament Mr Baird, outlining details of his conversation with the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said,
“I expressed my intention not to run in the next general election…. and I also expressed my intention to stand down as a member of parliament.. in the weeks ahead.”
John Baird has been vocal on the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka over past years. Speaking to the Tamil Guardian last year, he listed his 3 biggest concerns with Sri Lanka as the “lack of accountability for war crimes, lack of meaningful reconciliation with the Tamil minority and the ongoing trend of authoritarian politics.”
“We are incredibly focused to get the government of Sri Lanka to take a different path,” he added.
Commenting on the Sri Lankan government’s ban of Tamil diaspora organisations last year, Mr Baird said,
“We are deeply concerned that Canadians have been identified and singled out for attention as has the government of Canada. We remain focused on doing all we can to help the Tamil minority live in peace and security with their neighbours.”
Canada calls on Maithri to address accountability and devolution (09 Jan 2015)
Canada is 'incredibly focused' to get Sri Lanka to take a different path says Foreign Minister (12 Jun 2014)
Canada questions motive behind diaspora bans, says will not help reconciliation (08 Apr 2014)