Dear [Stand-Canada],

Thank you for your letter. I too am very concerned about Darfur. Having been a Deputy Director for 25 years and dealing with social and health issues daily, when I retired I wanted to make a difference a difference and loned CANADEM (Canada’s registry of experts available to the UN) and was looking at, offered going to the Sudan to work with child combatants. I did not go last year due to family illness but this was something I cared about. I may still make that commitment to go there.The crisis in Darfur is crying out for global intervention and Canadian statesmanship. The Rwandan genocide must not be repeated through a failure of political will and heart. Canada must assume leadership in rapidly organizing an international emergency initiative to deal decisively and effectively with the situation.

Based on the Green Party’s holistic approach to international affairs, using a combination of diplomacy, defense and development, we not only reiterate our consistent pleas for action of past years but now urgently call on the government of Canada to take an immediate ‘whole of government’ approach to the region and related conflicts in order to force a stop to the fighting and force humanitarian assistance to be provided on an urgent basis. We call on Canada to move boldly on multiple fronts to:

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Below is a letter from Carolyn Scott, the Liberal candidate for Sackville-Eastern Shore:

Thank you for raising the profile of the tragedy and travesties which are occurring in Darfur.

The genocide in Darfur is a blight on the reputations of so many responsible governments in the world, governments who are standing by as so many people become the victims, through no fault of their own.

When elected, I commit to working to support real and positive action to stop this criminal action in Darfur.

Canada needs to be a part of this, to show, in real and meaningful ways, that we are a country of citizens who genuinely care about the fate of our sisters and brothers in other nations.

We cannot just stand by, and let it happen – Canada is better than that, and Canadians are better than that.

The citizens of Darfur are our sisters and brothers.

This picture of Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion with Stand’er Brianna Ames was taken in Toronto on September 28. Following the debates, we sent his office the following note:

Rick Casson is the current M.P. for Lethbridge. He recently sent us this letter about his position on Sudan:

Dear [Stand-Canada],

Thank you for your e-mail regarding Canada’s role in Darfur. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Canada’s support to Darfur has focused on humanitarian assistance, although armed conflict, poor transport infrastructure, and lack of government support have chronically complicated the provision of such assistance to the affected populations. Canada has supported efforts by the African Union and the United Nations to resolve the conflict in Darfur, including peacebuilding projects and diplomatic support measures for a political peace process. Canada assists affected civilian populations by providing crucial humanitarian assistance such as food aid, health care, and water and sanitation services. The Canadian International Development Agency humanitarian assistance program in Sudan is implemented through multilateral organizations, including UN agencies, and through Canadian and international non-governmental organizations.

As well, in March of this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Sudan and announced that Canada would be investing another $275 million in the Sudan for the purposes of security, diplomacy and aid. Part of that contribution, $40 million, is dedicated to equipment and training for African troops with the hybrid force, making Canada the second-largest voluntary
financial supporter of the UNAMID (United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation).

Canada is making a valuable and noteworthy contribution to the current situation in Darfur. We are doing our best to balance our international roles in Afghanistan, Haiti and Darfur by continuing to have a positive impact, while not spreading ourselves too thin. If you would like further information Canada’s role in the Sudan, I would encourage you to look at the link below:
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/sudan#1.

Sincerely,

Rick Casson, MP
Conservative Candidate

It is wonderful to hear candidates from so many different parties highlighting the importance of Sudan. We have always been proud of the large financial contributions Canada makes to both the peacekeeping mission in Sudan and the humanitarian effort. What specifically we would like to hear more of from respectable candidates like Mr. Casson is a more pronounced emphasis on diplomacy and international unity towards Sudan.

Thank you for the letter!