This just in from Paul Dewar, NDP candidate seeking re-election from Ottawa-Centre:

Thank you for writing regarding Canada`s role in the crisis in Darfur. It is an issue that I have worked hard on in Parliament.

New Democrats are united in their support for all efforts to end the violence against civilians in the Darfur region. We continue to support the work of STAND and the Sudanese Diaspora to keep the Sudan crisis on the Canadian government’s agenda.

I am the NDP foreign affairs critic and have taken the lead on Darfur. I have worked hard to move the issue forward in the House of Commons by initiating a study at the Foreign Affairs committee. I am also vice-chair of the parliamentary group against genocide and has been active on Darfur in that capacity as well.

There is a growing concern among everyday Canadians that their public and private investments may be directly or indirectly contributing to the crisis in Darfur. Despite opposition from Conservatives, the Foreign Affairs committee last year adopted my motion to undertake a study of Canadian funds invested in Sudan and explore legislative initiatives to regulate such investments in light of the worsening crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

In May of this year, we called on the Harper Conservative’s take leadership. This is exactly the kind of peacekeeping role that Canadians have always supported. Canadians would want us to be in Darfur. That sentiment is found right across the country.

Our Party wants Canada to take a lead role in any UN mission to stop the bloodshed in Sudan’s Darfur province. Canada could and should commit immediately to the following measures:

-support the United Nations Mission to Sudan (UNMIS)

-offer Canadian troops to complement the advance party requested by the UN

-push for a stronger UN resolution on Sudan

-offer logistical support to the United Nations-African Union hybrid force carrying out its mandate to protect the population in Darfur.

I will continue to speak out on both Canadian and international inaction on Darfur and will support all efforts to bring peace to this tragically neglected region.

Thanks again for writing, and I hope I can count on your support on October 14th.

Paul Dewar

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