
After spending four years, millions of dollars and considerable time and effort trying to secure a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council only to lose decisively on the first ballot, the rest of the world must be wondering: when are Canadian politicians going to stop using foreign policy for partisan gain?
The Liberals formally started campaigning for a seat on the council in February 2016, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s vanity bid to elevate Canada’s place on the world stage goes back to the 2015 election.
“To this country’s friends all around the world, many of you have worried that Canada has lost its compassionate and constructive voice in the world,” Trudeau said on election night. “Well, I have a simple message for you. On behalf of 35 million Canadians: we’re back.”
The “Canada is back” phrase has been thrown in Trudeau’s face many times since his embarrassing loss at the UN on Wednesday, but it was actually borrowed, intentionally or not, from the previous Conservative government’s 2007 speech from the throne.
“Rebuilding our capabilities and standing up for our sovereignty have sent a clear message to the world: Canada is back as a credible player on the international stage,” Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean said at the time.
Yet, despite this lofty rhetoric from two successive governments, Canada has little to show for its efforts. Our relationship with the United States, our closest friend and ally, has been frosty at best since U.S. President Donald Trump was elected in 2016. China is holding two of our citizens hostage (both are now charged with espionage) and has been engaged in a one-sided trade war with us since December 2018.
[Interesting Read]
See Also:
(1) Increased mental health challenges during pandemic
(2) Trudeau shielded MP now facing charges
(3) Trudeau, Liberals mum on Tabbara case