Title: Canada & the World
By: Devon Hancock
Columneetza Secondary School
Williams Lake, B.C.
The golden age of Canadian international diplomacy was certainly the Cold War era. Leaders like Pearson and Trudeau made it that by building Canada into a middle power with a distinct voice. We became an original member of the UN, at the end of World War II, became part of NATO, sent 22,000 UN soldiers to Korea, were instrumental in solving the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956, resumed diplomatic relations with communist China and the Soviet Union, and focused more attention on foreign and third world investment.
And then…what happened? Somewhere between then and now, Canada became much less of an international influence. While our reputation as peacekeepers and general “good guys” remains, our clout on the international scene has decreased. Why is this? And how can we make our way back onto the world stage to give Canadian input on what our global community may become?
The biggest difference between then and now must certainly be the might of the United States. Both Mr. Gotlieb and Ms. Stein devoted entire articles to talking about our connection, relation to, dependence on, and friendship with the U.S. Ms. Stein seemed to advocate a Canada that exploits its special position as a bridge between the New and Old World; in order to push our own issues in international venues. Mr. Gotlieb advocates a more actively friendly relationship that would see Canada cultivate its special connection with the U.S. Despite my instinctive agreement with Ms. Stein’s philosophy of indifference, I don’t believe that we can ignore America when we are so intimately and inextricably linked. However, being the sidekick doesn’t sit well either, and I have doubts how effective this would be in winning influence. Canada will have to walk a thin line between the two, if it is to remain independent without burning its bridges.
The U.S. is undeniably the major military power of the modern world. Western Europe, or other blocs, break out and start spending billions on their armies, the U.S. is likely to remain dominant. I’m not suggesting that military build up is the way to win our independence from the U.S.; in fact I think that such a move would be counterproductive. What I am trying to point out is that because the U.S. is the military clout behind many NATO and UN endeavors, any role Canadians wish to play as peacekeepers, or impartial observers, will have to be played in conjunction with the U.S. Because the interests of Canada and America coincide so often internationally, the relationship Canada has with the U.S. is as important on the international front as it is on the domestic front.
The crux of the problem, according to Mr. Gotlieb, is size. The U.S. is bigger, stronger, and more important than we. If Canada wants to stand up for itself against the U.S., there is no place to do it. The softwood lumber and mad cow (BSE) disputes are prime examples of our inability to resolve international trade disputes. Despite U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association endorsements, and a designation as a “minimum risk region”, a court in Montana has the power to prevent the border opening, costing Canadian cattle producers millions. As things stand now, when push comes to shove on Canada-U.S. issues, Canada is usually the one being shoved, NAFTA rulings notwithstanding.
I believe that the way around this is not to ignore the U.S.; we don’t have that option. Rather we need to formalize our relationship, and set up institutions in which the U.S will listen to Canadian concerns. We must set up some common ground where Canada and the U.S. can meet as not just neighbors, but equals.
But how is Canada to force its way onto such common ground? As an international superpower, the U.S. has the ability to set the terms. Won’t we just be shoved once again? The fact is that we can’t afford to be, not this time. Canada needs to step out of the shadows for its own sake, and also for the sake of constructive world leadership. Someone needs to take a leading role in building a safe, environmentally responsible world for tomorrow. The U.S. has failed on both fronts. First, they have used their massive military strength when and where they please, rather than according to the wishes of their allies, as they did in Iraq. Second, the U.S. has also consistently ignored critical world environmental issues, including global warming, by refusing to join in initiatives such as the Kyoto accord.
Canada is the perfect candidate to step into the role of facilitator for these efforts because of its diverse affinities born of our multiculturalism, as pointed out by Ms. Stein. America’s “melting pot” has created a more unified voice, for now perhaps, but it will take a symphony of voices to resolve world issues. That is why Canada is so important; we are the perfect keystone to collaborative world effort, if we could only put ourselves back on the world stage. That is what we will have to do to win even ground with our mighty neighbors, and to give voice to universally important issues.
It is odd that with such unique abilities, Canada is not already a world leader. The reason is that we are not capitalizing on our gifts. Where are the leaders of tomorrow? Where are the celebrated Canadian diplomats who are multi-lingual, and have an international outlook? Canada isn’t producing them. It isn’t a priority. I say it should be. I certainly don’t want a generation of politicians- I don’t think anyone does, but I do believe that we should be striving to foster a sense of purpose beyond personal success. This generation is faced with preserving the survival of our planet. We need to protect against threats such as nuclear war, starvation, pandemic, and global warming. We will have to dodge economic collapse, political unrest, and environmental disaster. We need to look at ways of becoming a sustainable, co-operative global society. We need scientists, doctors, teachers, peacekeepers, biologists, diplomats, and yes, politicians. We have all the CEOs and car salespersons we need. The attitude of consumerism that says four cars and an R.V. are God-given rights must be resisted. We are going to have to sacrifice some God-given rights if we are to stay on this God-given planet.
In order to shape the demographic, of the next generation, we need to educate differently. We need more language in schools, more current events, more environmental studies; a more global focus. Canada needs to make itself a role model for the rest of the world. Money needs to go to social and environmental programs. Healthy people living on a healthy planet – everything else seems a bit superfluous from a distance.
So let’s do it- let’s teach our children to speak new languages, let’s vote in programs to reduce pollution, let’s remember our unique heritage, and act on it, let’s be a good example, and take our place in leading the world toward the future.