What is Canada's role in the world?
In terms of a vision of foreign policy, only the Conservatives seem to have one. As a Canadian living abroad, I don't like it and the fact that the role of Canada has moved from peace-keeper to aggressor under the Conservatives.
Let's take a look at the Conservatives.
Pretty straight forward. The bad guys are out there and the Conservatives will continue to keep them at bay. (More on internal threats in a later post).
The Liberals are hard to pin down.
Lots about the economy but nothing about the role that Canada should play in the world.
For the NDP, it's not even an issue.
Zilch, Nada, Rien de tout.
A further search comes up pretty vague as well:
CPAC says: "An NDP government would work as an even-handed, fair arbiter abroad with a renewed focus on the UN and other international institutions, Mulcair said."
And this opinion piece from February has it about right when he says:
"Voters know what the Conservatives’ vision of Canada’s place in the world is, but the opposition parties have been silent about their own visions, thereby enabling the Tories to monopolize foreign policy issues long before the election. Is it any surprise then that Canadians – especially youth – have become disengaged and apathetic? At a time when conversations around pressing global issues abound on social media and other forums, there is a serious poverty of debate and imagination in Canadian politics on foreign policy."
I disagree with the Conservatives' vision and want at least one of the other two parties to get the guts to make a solid counter argument backed up with meaningful plans.
On a positive note, I am pleased that under the Conservatives, a full consulate opened in Istanbul and trade relations are at an all-time high with direct daily flights to Toronto and Montreal.
The Lively Albatross wants to give credit where credit is due.
In terms of a vision of foreign policy, only the Conservatives seem to have one. As a Canadian living abroad, I don't like it and the fact that the role of Canada has moved from peace-keeper to aggressor under the Conservatives.
Let's take a look at the Conservatives.
Pretty straight forward. The bad guys are out there and the Conservatives will continue to keep them at bay. (More on internal threats in a later post).
The Liberals are hard to pin down.
Lots about the economy but nothing about the role that Canada should play in the world.For the NDP, it's not even an issue.
Zilch, Nada, Rien de tout.A further search comes up pretty vague as well:
CPAC says: "An NDP government would work as an even-handed, fair arbiter abroad with a renewed focus on the UN and other international institutions, Mulcair said."
And this opinion piece from February has it about right when he says:"Voters know what the Conservatives’ vision of Canada’s place in the world is, but the opposition parties have been silent about their own visions, thereby enabling the Tories to monopolize foreign policy issues long before the election. Is it any surprise then that Canadians – especially youth – have become disengaged and apathetic? At a time when conversations around pressing global issues abound on social media and other forums, there is a serious poverty of debate and imagination in Canadian politics on foreign policy."
I disagree with the Conservatives' vision and want at least one of the other two parties to get the guts to make a solid counter argument backed up with meaningful plans.
On a positive note, I am pleased that under the Conservatives, a full consulate opened in Istanbul and trade relations are at an all-time high with direct daily flights to Toronto and Montreal.
The Lively Albatross wants to give credit where credit is due.
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