Religious freedom chief says he aids diplomats in supporting human rights abroad

Canadas first religious freedom ambassador says his job advancing and promoting religious liberty around the globe has an equally important role: to support Canadian diplomats as they work abroad.

Andrew Bennetts vote of confidence in the Canadian foreign service comes despite years of tension between diplomats and the very Conservative government that created his job early last year.

Canadas foreign service is one of the best in the world and diplomats have been working tirelessly for decades in nations where religion plays a critical role in the lives of their citizens and the politics of their governments, Bennett said in a recent interview.

The Canadian foreign service, and Canadians abroad, have been focusing on religious freedom for a long time before I arrived, so really our office is a way to support them in what theyre finding in the countries theyre engaged in, said Bennett, himself a longtime public servant.

Diplomats staged the longest strike in public service history earlier this year in job action that saw them picketing in the streets of Tokyo, Washington, London, Paris, Dublin and beyond. The bitter six-month dispute with the federal government, which ended in September, is estimated to have delivered a $1-billion hit to the economy, particularly in the tourism and education sectors.

Bennett, a 41-year-old Catholic who has considered becoming a priest, says Canadian diplomats far and wide have sent words of encouragement since he was appointed to the job in February.

Ive received nothing but full support of colleagues here in the department and in the missions overseas. Our office is really a tool for them, the lanky Bennett said from his office in Ottawas Lester B. Pearson building, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

One of his aspirations during his three-year stint is to work closely with diplomats to help them develop a nuanced understanding of the issues of religious liberty in the countries where theyre serving, he added.

But his No. 1 goal as Canadas first ambassador of religious freedom?

To ensure that Canada is seen as a world leader in defending religious freedom.

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Religious freedom chief says he aids diplomats in supporting human rights abroad