OTTAWA – New Democrat Leader Jack Layton has sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon in response to a request for feedback on the proposed appointment of Mr. Gérard Latulippe as President of Rights & Democracy.

Dear Minister:

I am writing in response to your letter of February 22 regarding the proposed appointment of Mr. Gérard Latulippe as President of Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development).

I am informing you of the opposition of the New Democratic Party, as expressed by our Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar, to Mr. Latulippe’s appointment at this time. It is our feeling, and that of many concerned Canadians, that until proper consideration of the situation by Parliament, such a nomination would be premature.

Further, we are deeply concerned by your government’s desire to proceed with this appointment during prorogation, which demonstrates a lack of commitment to the principles of accountability, transparency and parliamentary oversight. The problems relating to the Board of Directors of Rights & Democracy are complex and will not be adequately addressed by prematurely appointing Mr. Latulippe.

We feel the best avenue for addressing this situation is a full hearing at the earliest possible moment by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

For these reasons, I ask that you withdraw Mr. Latulippe’s name from consideration.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto–Danforth)

Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada