Nine years ago in the fall, the leaders of the three major Federalist parties at the time gathered on a stage in Toronto for a debate on foreign policy. resulting in discussion Seems a little strange now.
The topics covered were by no means trivial, including Canada’s contribution to the fight against Islamic State, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the Conservative government’s anti-terrorism legislation. However, India received only a passing mention. There was no mention of Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy for US president four months ago. Neither did China.
It was a different time, both literally and figuratively.
The relationship between Canada and China was defined by “.panda diplomacy,” do not have “hostage diplomacy. ”foreign interference“” was not yet in common dictionaries. And there was no reason to ask party leaders how they would react if they found out. accusation It says its nominal allies have spread violence and extortion against Canadians within Canada.
Anyone who thinks they can predict what will happen over the next nine years should be humbled by the past nine years. But the past week’s stunning revelations and accusations, from the expulsion of six Indian diplomats to Wednesday’s challenge to the Conservative Party at the Foreign Interference Inquiry, have highlighted how the world has become a dangerous place for Canada. It highlights the presence of animals. To national leaders who have little qualms about taking aggressive actions against this country and its people.
National Issues Panel dismantles Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony on foreign interference and escalating diplomatic disputes with India. And how the Liberals are dealing with growing anxiety in their caucuses.
“The world is more uncertain and less safe than ever, and Canada’s answer is to redouble the rule of law and the international rules-based order that protects us all,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. said. In this week’s Foreign Interference Investigation.
Even if the prime minister’s comments border on hyperbole (the world during the two world wars was certainly more dangerous), Canadians are currently dealing with a threat that could not have been foreseen in 2015. It is no exaggeration to say that. Reconciling with that reality continues to prove difficult.
Challenges posed by an uncertain world
For example, there is a tendency in our politics and commentators to think that every time Canada is involved in a conflict with another country, Canada is somehow at fault, or that Canadian officials need to apologize and make amends. There is a strange tendency. The past nine years, from Donald Trump to China to India, have truly pushed Canadian reflexes over the breaking point.
In any case, the Conservatives are sure to say that the Liberals have completely failed to meet the challenge. And liberals may have to admit that they were not prepared for what has unfolded or unraveled in recent years.
But liberals can rightly point to President Trump’s efforts to minimize the threat through the renegotiation of NAFTA. The Liberal government also finally came together United Nations to publicly shame China over the imprisonment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Most of the infrastructure that currently exists to deal with foreign interference was put in place by the Trudeau government. It was the Liberal Party that created a national security committee of parliamentarians, but the Harper government resisted this idea.
The Liberals also say the foreign interference inquiry failed to uncover the massive cover-up that government critics have been quick to claim. But the investigation continues to reveal serious deficiencies in information sharing and a political system that is not fully responsive to the threat.
For months, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poièvre has been content to continue with his accusations and vitriol. But by denying access to classified information that allows them to view it themselves, while arguing that doing so would somehow limit their ability to pursue the government, the kind of attacks Trudeau displayed Wednesday I remain exposed.
If foreign interference is a threat to the Conservative Party, the June National Security Committee report includes the following assertion: interference by india In a Conservative leadership race, Conservative leaders will want to know the details. And while Prime Minister Trudeau may now be accused of politicizing national security issues, his testimony before the committee also points to Poilievre as one of the very real challenges of the moment. I asked him to face him.
Canada and the new global turmoil
Even after Prime Minister Trudeau leaves office, these challenges are unlikely to magically disappear. And while it may be unwise to try to predict what the next nine years will be like, it seems wise to plan for further uncertainty.
Adam Chapnick, a defense and foreign policy scholar at the Royal Military College of Canada, suggests that the challenges of our time may be viewed through two possible frameworks.
On the other hand, he suggested, there may simply be less respect for international norms and institutions, and a greater willingness on the part of some great powers to act harshly against mid-sized countries.
At the same time, Canada’s standing in the world has declined to such an extent that “powerful countries with interests different from ours are concerned that doing anything rough against us would be a violation of all laws.” “They may no longer take our country seriously,” he added. It’s an international standard. ”
There may be some truth in how you perceive a situation. In any case, the current climate demands more from Canada, not only better protections for its institutions and people, but also a stronger contribution to the world at large and the maintenance of strong alliances. It seems.
Of course, in the meantime, the effects of climate change will continue to have an impact and are likely to lead to new situations. immigration and refugee crisis.
It is becoming difficult for us to view the world beyond our shores as a secondary concern. The problems that world poses are becoming more difficult to deal with.
It all demands more from Canada’s leaders, starting with the ability to view sensitive information. So Federalist leaders will have more to discuss the next time they gather on stage to discuss foreign policy.
