COMMENT

On CIC Minister Jason Kenney's India visit 

Hon. Jim Karygiannis  
responds to our request for comments on
Indo-Canada Outlook report in February 2009 issue 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to this very important issue. It is very unfortunate that when the Conservative Government Ministers travel, they do not take with them Opposition Members of Parliament, whether they are Liberals, NDP or Bloc Members, to help present a balance view. 

I have travelled with Liberal Ministers and Prime Ministers and have seen the contribution that Opposition Members can make. 

I cannot forget the trip by Prime Minister Paul Martin to the Tsunami ravaged area of South Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka where I had the opportunity to join the Prime Minister and witness first-hand the destruction and affects of the Tsunami. 

I distinctively remember that Jason Kenney was travelling with the Prime Minister's team as an Opposition Member. Jason Kenney, not respecting the protocol to travel with the delegation, went off on his own, held his own press conference and stated his opinions of the Tamils.  

While people were trying to rebuild their lives, after being struck by the devastating Tsunami, Jason Kenney was making remarks for the Reform Alliance Party. He clearly demonstrated his Reform Party views which pit one community against another and he is still doing it. 

While travelling to India and Pakistan, this time the Minister only invited Conservative Members of Parliament to accompany him. This Conservative junket cost thousands of dollars. One has only to visit the Department’s website to see how lavishly the Minister and his entourage traveled. For example the Minister's Executive Assistant, Jamie Ellerton, spent a total of $18,434.21 for the month of November for travel and meetings with the Minister. http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/disclosure/expenses/2008-Q4/ellerton/index.asp 

I have travelled to India well over 20 times and have met with Canadian officials in that part of world numerous of times. I realize the difficulties and challenges they face while serving and looking after Canadian interests in that part of world. 

These difficulties and challenges are not only particular to South Asia or pertain only to those posts. Our posts face difficulties and challenges whether they are in South Asia, China, Europe, Africa or the Americas, etc. We have competent staff, with many years of experience, who weather these challenges and provide excellent work for Canada and protect our interests. 

It is very unfortunate that Minister Jason Kenney makes it sound that these challenges are huge and only coming from the posts of South Asia Peninsula. 

He makes it sound that people that applying for Visitor Visas and emigrating from South Asia present an exceptional challenge by presenting an exceptionally high number of falsified documents. This is far from the truth. This statement is an insult to all the Canadians of South Asian heritage and the Minister should clarify his remarks and apologize to all decent Canadians of South Asian descent.