Foreign Minister Baird (left) with Prime Minister Harper.
Senior Canadian Minister Jason Kenney says Foreign Minister John Baird or even Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to make a final decision soon on the country’s participation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November.
Minister Kenney.
The current Sri Lankan government is falling short on democratic values, Minister Kenney said during a press meeting yesterday in Toronto.
Kenney was the longest serving Canadian Immigration Minister, he has now taken over what he described as “vast ministry” of Employment and Social Development , however, he will continue with multiculturalism portfolio, saying that it’s something he’s learned to relish and enjoy.
My only regret is that out of many Canadians that migrated to Canada under my term as Immigration Minister are economically struggling. Some of these people came from middle class jobs, now find themselves struggling as security guards or taxi drivers, he said.
The minister hoped to discuss foreign credential recognition when meets with counterparts from the provinces.
Kenney also spoke on Quebec’s proposed controversial Values Charter targeting religious clothing and said the government would launch a strong and vigorous legal challenge if the legislation passed in the National Assembly of the predominately French-speaking province. He added the government would not be drawn into war of words with the separatist PQ minority government, which would struggle to pass the charter.
It would be ridiculous to have bureaucrats measuring the size of religious symbols worn by citizens, he added.
