Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff vowed Sunday to defend the "human rights" of a North Vancouver man who has spent three years in a Mexican jail without trial.

During a campaign stop in North Van on Sunday, Ignatieff fielded questions that touched on topics from airport security and women's rights to issues in the Middle East.

He spoke to a packed hall of more than 1,000 Liberal supporters during his second B.C. campaign stop.

Halfway through the meeting, Lauren Ellies asked Ignatieff why Canada sends troops to protect citizens of other countries such as Libya and Afghanistan, but hasn't protected "one of its own."

"We want to know what you can do for us to help get him home right away to his family," Ellies asked, referring to Pavel Kulisek.

The North Vancouver man was vacationing in Mexico when he was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking, but the charge was later dropped.

Kulisek, who attempted suicide in prison in March when hearings for his case were further delayed, was also accused of being a member of a criminal organization after he befriended a man who turned out to be a Mexican drug lord.

"This is an unconscionable violation to the human rights of a Canadian citizen," Ignatieff said, pledging the cause would be one of his top priorities should he be elected prime minister.

"This is a case that needs direct prime minister to presidential leadership," Ignatieff said, adding he'd phone Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Jirina Kuliskova, Kulisek's wife, said outside the meeting she was encouraged by Ignatieff's promise.

"This is huge," Kuliskova said. "We all knew that it takes some interference, but I don't know why (Stephen) Harper's government chose not to do it for me."

Kuliskova said Ignatieff's pledge to call Calderón has renewed her hope of bringing her husband home and reuniting her family.