New Democrats support Canada’s foreign service officers

OTTAWA – Today New Democrats expressed their support for Canada’s diplomats who have been locked in a labour dispute with the Conservative government.

“Canada’s international presence depends on the hard work and patriotic dedication of our talented foreign service officers,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Without them, we would lose our diplomatic channels with the rest of the world, our businesses would lose the opportunities that Trade Commissioners open in markets abroad, and no one would get a visa to visit Canada.”

Canada’s 1,350 Foreign Service Officers have been working without a formal contract since June 2011. During this time, salary gaps have persisted between Foreign Service Officers and other employees at the same level.

“Instead of entering into good faith bargaining, the Conservative government has sought to block the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers from communicating with its members and threatened foreign service officers with disciplinary action, including dismissal,” said New Democrat Labour critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont--La Petite-Patrie). “These actions are unreasonable and disrespectful to the professional diplomats who represent our country on the world stage.”

“I urge the minister of foreign affairs to ensure that the current job action is resolved through good faith bargaining,” said Dewar. “Many of our hard working diplomats take on personal risk and hardship in being posted abroad – they deserve better than threats and intimidation from their government.”