A LEADER IN THE WORLD

September 30, 2006

Today at the Francophonie Summit in Bucharest, Prime Minister Stephen Harper proposed an amendment to a resolution, later adopted by the Francophonie, which noted the suffering of both the Lebanese and Israeli civilian populations in this summer’s conflict.

Since taking office, Prime Minister Harper and Canada’s New Government have worked hard to return Canada to a leadership role in world affairs:

• Canada is leading efforts to re-commit global support for the U.N-sanctioned and NATO-led mission to Afghanistan;
• Canada moved quickly to suspend funding to the Hamas-led government which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist;
• Prime Minister Harper positioned Canada as an "emerging energy superpower" and force for stability to audiences in Britain and the United States; and
• Prime Minister Harper urged reform at the United Nations and challenged the member nations to live up to the ideals of the U.N. Charter.
  

Also at the Francophonie Summit, the Prime Minister urged all members to support the rapid reconstruction and stabilization of Lebanon and called for the Francophonie to take a leadership role on Darfur.

Canada is a nation that leads, not follows, and Canada’s New Government will continue to demonstrate leadership on the world stage.