Trade, terror and aid to top federal leaders’ foreign policy debate

From trade deals to terror threats to helping the world’s poorest citizens, three federal political leaders will debate global issues Monday night.

Thestar.com
Sept. 27, 2015
By Bruce Champion-Smith

From trade deals to terror threats to helping the world’s poorest citizens, three federal political leaders will debate global issues and Canada’s role in the world Monday night.

For two hours, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will discuss foreign policy. Green Party leader Elizabeth May was not invited to participate in the event, presented by the Munk Debates and held at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.

Here is a primer on a few of the issues likely to come up.

Islamic State mission: Canada’s military fight against Islamic State fighters will likely take centre stage in the debate. Last fall the Conservatives deployed military trainers to Iraq and CF-18 fighters to bomb Islamic State fighters, over the opposition of the NDP and Liberals. The NDP would withdraw all troops from the region; the Liberals would end the air campaign. Both parties have been critical of the Conservatives for not doing more to welcome Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in their homelands.

Ukraine: Vocal condemnation of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine has been another cornerstone of the Conservatives’ foreign policy. Harper has been outspoken in his denunciation of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annexation of Crimea and for Russia’s military buildup in Syria. Canada has supplied non-lethal military gear to Ukraine and has now dispatched troops to serve as trainers. Given that the Liberals and NDP have also voiced concerns about Russia’s actions, the debate could focus on how best to curb Putin’s ambitions in the region.

Washington: Relations with the United States have gotten frosty under the Conservatives. President Barack Obama’s long-delayed decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline to move Alberta oil to U.S. refineries is one example of the tensions. Foot-dragging on a new Windsor-area bridge to the U.S. is another. Trudeau said Harper’s time in power has been defined by a “hectoring, belligerent Canada” and he’s promising to renew relations with the U.S. and Mexico.

Middle East: The Conservatives have made a strong defence of Israel as a pillar of their approach to the Middle East. The Tories also cut off diplomatic ties with Iran, a position they have stuck to while other allies, such as Britain and the U.S., seek to engage the Iranian leadership. Mulcair, Trudeau and Harper all see Israel as an important ally and support a two-state solution, so expect little disagreement here but Harper’s refusal to engage Iran could prompt questions.

Africa: The Conservatives made maternal, newborn and child health a focus of the 2010 G8 summit in Muskoka and have continued to support initiatives in this area. But the level of foreign aid is a concern for the NDP and Liberals. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada’s aid spending dropped to 0.24 per cent of GDP in 2014, down from 0.27 per cent the previous year.

United Nations: The Conservatives are not enthusiastic backers of the UN, complaining, in part, about its positions on Israel. In 2011, Harper said that Canada’s purpose “is no longer to please every dictator with a vote at the United Nations” - a line he has repeated in this campaign. Yet the NDP and Liberals say that Canada has turned its back on multinational co-operation. And they say that the failure in 2010 to secure a seat on the UN Security Council is proof of how Canada’s influence on the world stage has diminished under the Conservatives. The next government elected on Oct. 19 will very quickly be grappling with the issue of climate change as a UN conference gets underway in late November to reach a new international agreement to curb global warming.

Europe: Ottawa has initiated an extensive free-trade deal, billed as Canada’s most ambitious, with the European Union that opens the door to a market of 500 million people. Concerns remain: notably that it restricts the ability of governments in Canada to do local procurement. The pact must still be ratified by the 28 member countries within the EU.

Arctic: Harper has put a focus on the north during his time in government, making annual visits to Canada’s Arctic to talk sovereignty and development. As changing climate opens up sea lanes, northern waters are becoming more accessible and issues of the environment and defence will become more critical.

Pacific rim: Canada is increasingly turning its attention to Pacific-rim nations, underscored by negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This sweeping deal would create a free trade between 12 Pacific nations, including Canada. However, sealing the deal could mean big changes to Canada’s auto sector and supply management system - two areas that have the opposition parties concerned.