(No. 272 - September 22, 2011 - 6:20 p.m. ET) Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canadacommends the progressTunisiahas made in fulfilling its commitment to holding democratic elections. We appreciate the importance of these elections to the Tunisian people and the struggle that has led to them.
“Canadawelcomes the opportunity for Tunisians inCanadato cast absentee ballots in these elections. We have done the same thing for 12 other countries so far this year alone.
“But we have expressed toTunisiaour wish that it not create a foreign voting district or riding that would includeCanada. No one should representCanada—or a part ofCanada—as a constituency in a foreign elected assembly.
“This policy does not apply uniquely toTunisia; it is a matter of Canadian sovereignty.
“Canadais committed to supportingTunisia’s transition to democracy. We stand with the people ofTunisiaas they work to build a more democratic, safe and prosperous country.”
For more information on the Government of Canada’s position on foreign elections in Canadaand foreign electoral constituencies, please visit Foreign Elections in Canada and Foreign Electoral Constituencies.
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