Rona Ambrose: ‘Canadians will continue to support the U.K.’

‘There is no substitute for the direct democratic voice of a country’s citizens’

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Opposition Leader Rona Ambrose is receives applause during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. (Sean Kilpatrick/CP)

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose is applauded by her caucus while speaking during a debate on the Speech from the Throne in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, December 7, 2015. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)
Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose December 7, 2015. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

Rona Ambrose, interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, on the results of the Brexit vote: 

“Regardless of the outcome of yesterday’s referendum, Canadians will continue to support the United Kingdom as a steadfast ally, trading partner and friend.

“There is no substitute for the direct democratic voice of a country’s citizens in determining the answers to critical questions about their own future. I recognize that the UK government, but more importantly the people of the UK, have engaged in a vigorous debate and have made their voices heard.

“While there are worldwide implications that will flow from the new path forward that the UK has chosen, for Canada it will be important for our government to maintain strong ties with the UK. At the same time, the Liberal government must also continue to fight for the ratification of the Canada-EU free trade agreement the previous government reached. This significant trade agreement can generate new jobs and new customers for Canadian goods and services, and the Liberal government must show leadership to ensure it does not become a casualty of a period of uncertainty in Europe.

“Lastly, I would like to thank Prime Minister David Cameron for his service and dedication to his country after his announcement of his intention to step down. He has been a courageous and principled leader, unafraid to fight for what he believed in, while strong enough to accept with grace the democratic will of those he leads.”

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