The release of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee report will not be enough to stop Canada from boycotting the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, due to be held in Sri Lanka.
Andrew MacDougall, spokesperson from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office said that unless “real change” occurred, Canada would remain steadfast in boycotting the summit. He said,
"This is a question of words versus deeds and it has to be backed up by action.We do need to see real progress. Unless progress is made, we will not be going to those meetings."
Foreign Minister John Baird responded to the LLRC release earlier this week, Highlighting the Sri Lankan government's "lack of both accountability and meaningful attempts at reconciliation" and called for “decisive action” to be taken.
See our earlier post: Canada demands 'decisive action' now that LLRC report released (12 Jan 2012)
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