The United Nations graces a door at the world body's headquarters in New York.STAN HONDA/AFP / Getty Images
Conservative Party strategists couldn't resist taking a few parting shots at Michael Ignatieff as the Prime Minister took off for the United Nations on Tuesday afternoon to lobby for a coveted seat on the Security Council.
The Liberal Leader has clearly touched off a nerve in Stephen Harper's camp with his comments Monday questioning whether Canada deserves the Security Council seat given the Conservative government's poor international record.
"Michael Ignatieff should be ashamed of himself for attempting to run down Canada on the international stage," Tory strategists say in a party memo circulated to supporters. "He should put the country's interests ahead of his own personal interests. ... [He]chooses to try and score cheap political points on the opening day of a Parliament he claims he wants to be productive."
The Harper strategists argue in their memo that the Conservative government has shown leadership in Afghanistan, Haiti and Sudan: "Our generosity to international assistance and our rapid response to international disasters such as the recent flooding in Pakistan should make Canadians proud."
It didn't make Mr. Ignatieff proud.
"This is a government that for four years has basically ignored the United Nations and now is suddenly showing up saying, 'Hey, put us on the council," Mr. Ignatieff said Monday. "Don't mistake me. I know how important it is for Canada to get a seat on the Security Council but Canadians have to ask a tough question: Has this government earned that place? We're not convinced it has."
A senior Ignatieff official added Tuesday that if Canada gets a seat on the UN Security Council "it will be because of the lasting international reputation crafted by leaders like Pearson, Trudeau, Chrétien and Martin - a reputation this government has undermined piece by piece over the past four years."