Today, readers are responding to Doug Saunders' reporting on Canada’s brain-injured Cuba diplomats, who are speaking out about Ottawa’s silence. The diplomats say duty of care for their concussion-like injuries has been trumped by the federal government’s political interests
The Canadian embassy in Havana is seen earlier this year. Canada's brain-injured diplomats and their affected families were removed from Havana between June, 2017, and the summer of 2018Desmond Boylan/The Associated Press
The diplomatic corps have to protected like Veterans. Especially in troubled zones. I get it, Trudeau feels a closeness to Cuba from his family’s friendship with the ruling elite in Havana (the Castros), but the Liberals need to step up. - Sheryl8
“They are afraid of upsetting Cuba because of Canada’s bid for a UN Security Council seat,” one diplomat said. Canada is in the midst of an intensive lobbying campaign to win a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2021-22. Cuba is considered vital to such UN votes as it holds influence over many African and Latin American UN member states. Justin Trudeau is also friends with the Castro clan and has always held them in high regard as he has said on several occasions. I guess some totalitarian regimes aren't as bad as others. Anything for a UN seat. - outsider22
Instead of complaining about this, we need to find out what the causal factors are. It’s obvious Trudeau is trying to keep this silent for his political reasons, that doesn’t surprise anybody. I just find it hard to believe the Americans and Canadians can’t ascertain the causes and whether the Cubans behind this, and if so why? - Mike5
This government’s commitment to transparency and its ideology is once again revealed. I can't imagine being denied a request for medical diagnosis by my government in this day and age - tip2
The article leaves the clear impression that the Trudeau government prioritizes friendly relations with Communist Cuba over the health and welfare of Canadian diplomats and their families. Hope this comes up in Question Period so that Government ministers can give as many non-answers as possible. - William Lyon MacKenzie1
Appalling behaviour by the Trudeau Liberals. I cannot recall any previous Government showing such a blatant disregard for the health and security of Canada’s Foreign Service officers and their families. - special1
If Chrystia Freeland knew that there were multiple cases of these symptoms at Canada’s mission to Cuba, and if she knew that senior officials at the Canadian embassy were told not to discuss the situation with staff, then she should resign. It is beyond offensive for employees to be left in the dark as to the risks to themselves and their families. What craven motivation would make the government think that a pattern of illness or injury should be hidden from staff? - Have Pail - Will Mop
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