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Harper Promises To Re-visit Canadian Participation in U.S. Missile Defence |
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Written by Staff
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Friday, 13 January 2006 |
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has pledged to re-open the discussion over Canada's participation in the American missile defence program by promising a free vote in the House of Commons on the unpopular issue saying, "if we come to the conclusion that it's in the country's best interests, it's my intention to turn this treaty over to Parliament for a free vote."
Canada opted out of Canadian participation in the U.S. missile defence program last year because of strong opposition to the proposition by a majority of Canadians. Martin's decision to not participate led to a period of renewed tension between the two nations culminating in U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cancelling her plans to visit Canada.
U.S. President Bush personally admonished Harper last year for not speaking out against Martin's decision and at the same time requested that Harper help the U.S. government's desire to have Canada participate. A CTV news report last year quotes Bush as saying to Harper, "I would hope you're looking at this in Canada's national interest and not in terms of partisan politics." |
