Syrian referendum a farce: Canada

MONTREAL: Canada on Sunday slammed as a farce Syria's controversial vote on a new constitution.

"This is a dubious ploy by the (Bashar al-) Assad regime to delay the inevitable while continuing its slaughter of Syrian civilians. Assad's 'referendum' is a farce. It is also too little, too late," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement.

"Assad must go. A new day must dawn for the Syrian people," Baird added.

"Canada will continue working with our international partners to pave the way for a peaceful transition to a society that respects the fundamental rights of all its people," he said.

As polling took place Sunday, a Britain-based watchdog reported new violence across the country that killed at least 34 civilians, mostly in the flashpoint central region of Homs, and 23 regime forces. (AFP)