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Prominent members of the NDP shadow cabinet met with senior members of the diplomatic community June 14, 2011 in a Meet the Official Opposition event organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement.
Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar, M.P. for Ottawa Centre, introduced eight of his party’s critics to the more than 50 Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Carleton students and other representatives from and outside Carleton University.
“There is a historic relationship between the official opposition and the diplomatic community,” said Director Maureen Boyd, “and 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”.
Mr. Dewar said the NDP “believes in working with others to find common ground and take action on challenges we’re facing together. We apply those same principles both domestically and globally.” Mr. Dewar pledged to work with the diplomatic community and said that the NDP “looked forward to addressing climate change, global peace and security and protecting human rights.”
Australian High Commissioner Justin Brown hosted the event at the High Commission residence with the support of the Ottawa Diplomatic Association.