The federal government is keeping quiet about any plans it may have to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lester B. Pearson's Nobel Peace Prize win, which has critics worried the Tories will ignore the event altogether.
But the Conservative government has yet to announce whether it intends to mark Pearson's win in any way.
The Foreign Affairs Department and the Pime Minister's Office did not respond to repeated questions by The Canadian Press about their plans for the anniversary.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre and the Francophone Research Network on Peace Operations all say they have not been told about any commemorative events.
The Bloc Quebecois' foreign affairs critic attributed the government's silence to partisan politics.
"Pearson is a giant," said Francine Lalonde. "I am Quebecois and sovereigntist, but that doesn't prevent me from considering him to be one of the greatest figures of the century."
The NDP's deputy leader, Thomas Mulcair, also chalked up the Conservative attitude to strictly political interests.
"I don't think the Conservatives have any pretext for not underlining the 50th anniversary," said Mulcair. "It's a shame."
If these people were any smaller, I'd need a microscope.
2 comments:
The conservatives did not appear for the anniversary of The Charter of Rights. It is a shame if they do not recognize Pearson , a Great man, well loved.
Steve - "But the Conservative government has yet to announce whether it intends to mark Pearson's win in any way."
I have just emailed my MP to ask what is planned.
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