Canada and its economy depend on the health and stability of the rest of the world. We must always strive for a relationship of deep friendship and trust with the United States. We must also be consistent in our ties with China, the dynamic number two power in the world. Both of these relationships require the direct personal involvement of the Prime Minister.
We must also engage the world more effectively through multilateral diplomacy. I would like to see our new government embrace multilateral institutions, an approach sadly lacking in recent years. We should be highly visible at, and supportive of, the United Nations. With all its imperfections, the UN is still the indispensable body for world affairs. We should carry our weight at NATO and in the G7, matching words with deeds and resources. Canada has been a laggard on issues like climate change and Syrian refugees. This is so uncharacteristic of our wealthy country and its generous and sophisticated population.
In implementing this new focus in our foreign policy, I would like to see a restoration of our professional Foreign Service. We should be inspired by the legacy and courage of Ken Taylor. For years now, our ambassadors have been silenced, and our government has discounted and discouraged professional foreign policy advice. Short term political gain with targeted interest groups has trumped a clearheaded assessment of our national interests based on our well established values. We must invest the resources, financial and human, to make a difference on international security, combating poverty, supporting human rights, promoting trade, and sustaining our global environment.
The role of the Prime Minister is crucial, not to micromanage talking points for the whole government, but to establish personal relationships that matter when our interests are at stake. Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, and Jean Chrétien all understood this, and Canada benefited as a consequence.
Canada is an important player in world affairs. We must send a clear and early signal that “Canada is back.”
David Wright is the Kenneth and Patricia Taylor Distinguished Professor of Foreign Affairs at Victoria College in the University of Toronto.
