If there was a single fixed point of departure from the Harper era to the new Trudeau government, it would be in foreign affairs. The choice of former Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion was a clear criticism of Harper’s people and actions. And it all boils down to Dion being a gentleman.
If you know nothing else about Dion, you see him in action once and you know he is a refined, well-spoken, educated gentleman. He would never insult the leader of a country in the way that Stephen Harper insulted Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He would never place Canada in the position of being hated by the Arab world because of Canada’s support for Israel. He would never turn foreign affairs into a venue for personal tourism.
And he knows true diplomacy is never accomplished by closing embassies. It is never accompanied by the military. It is a profession based on honour and understanding. Sure, there are also the times when foreign affairs has to play hard ball and Dion also has the fortitude for those stands
It will be very interesting at the early December global climate change conference in Paris with Prime Minister Trudeau, his new Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna and the provincial premiers in attendance. It is protocol for Canada’s foreign affairs minister to head the Canadian delegation to the United Nations sponsored event. His advise to his cabinet colleagues will be highly valued.
At the same time, Minister McKenna will be expected to show her very considerable smarts as an international lawyer. As the only MP from Ottawa in the downsized cabinet, she will have long hours and tough challenges ahead of her.
But any time she can lean on the experience and intelligence of Dion will be worth it. His years in Ottawa, his knowledge of the environmental portfolio and his overall knowledge of the governance of Canada are as valuable as a library.
One of Dion’s first challenges after the Paris meeting will be to come up with a Canadian plan to reconnect with the United Nations. Canada has become something of a pariah there doing the Harper administration and there are serious repairs to be undertaken. Dion is the best bet to return Canada to its previous position of prestige.
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Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
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