Dewar blasts Baird over diplomat strike, treaty relations with UN

OTTAWA – The NDP is accusing Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird of botching relations with his own diplomats and isolating Canada on the international stage.

Foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar levelled the widespread criticism at Baird during a news conference in Ottawa.

Dewar says an unprecedented strike by foreign service officers reflects badly on Baird.

Hundreds of foreign service officers have been without a contact for more than a year and a half and have shut down some services at Foreign Affairs headquarters in Ottawa and at about a dozen missions abroad.

Dewar also blames Baird for embarrassing Canada and souring relations with the United Nations by pulling out of various treaties or failing to honour others.

Neither Baird, nor Treasury Board Secretary Tony Clement, whose department is responsible for the foreign service negotiations, were immediately available for comment.