Title: The future of Canadian Politics
By: Liam McGuire
Hillcrest High School
Ottawa, Ontario
The voice of Canada has shrunk to a whisper. Whether we like it or not, both Janice Stein and Allen Gotlieb are correct in their analysis that Canadians do not have as great of a voice on the international scene as previously held. Recently, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade released a blueprint in which they presented new strategies and positions for the Canadian government. However, many say that we are not doing nearly enough to reverse a growing irrelevance on the world stage. We may attribute our diminished role in the world to a gradual stepping back of foreign missions and involvements since the end of the cold war, or to the emergence of many new major countries on the international scene. Regardless of the cause of this quiet present, we must strive to restore Canada's fame as a leading voice in today's world. If we do not, that whisper may vanish altogether.
First we must work on national identity. Ask any Canadian what defines their country. To be more specific, what draws the 49th parallel in our minds? What differs us from our neighbours to the south? Why are they the elephant and we the beaver? To answer that both are national icons would be untrue, and not only because it is hard to imagine a herd of elephants gracing the American plains. The meaning behind the famous Trudeau quote of sharing a bed with a elephant is that the elephant is the American ideal, the representation of their policies and actions. A brute force indeed, not one to step around delicate issues to refrain from causing damage and foreign upset. Then we see the Canadian beaver: analytical, sceptical. If all goes well, we’ll construct a temporary dam of policy, not to cause any disruption in the flow of world politics, but in case it does, there’s always the lodge we can hide in until all blows over, or in the case of our political climate, freezes over. If we are to become more prominent as a leading middle power in today's world order, we are going to need to change this, we are going to need to gnaw our way in, and we are going to need to do it fast.
The point that I am making is that we are significantly different from our American brothers. Yes, there are worries that we will become the 51st state, indifferent from the rest of North America. And sure, we may seem the same, a diverse and rapidly expanding population, urban sprawls, shared media outlets, and Krispy Kremes franchises. But we are different on the inside, where the true heart of the nation lies, our politics, and their ensuing effects. We are also much different in that while the U.S. has stayed at the centre stage of world politics, we have found ourselves on the wing, watching sceptically for an opportune moment to try and yell a periodic remark out to attempt to influence global actions.
And here in 2005, we find ourselves at a crossroads. On one hand, there is Allan Gotlieb’s theory that we must voice our opinions through the mouth of the United States. Gotlieb, a former ambassador for Canada to the United States, served this position during the Mulroney era, at a time when we were arguably the closest to our southern neighbours. It appears that he has not yet adapted to the changing times, and his realism style of realpolitik represents a view that is a decade out of date. Gotlieb, when explaining the best way to express Canadian influence states that: “The Canadian voice is listened to with respect in the US corridors of power; it is likened to the voice of a family member. Canadians make an unpardonable error if they fail to realize this.” Gotlieb believes that Canadian interests will only be respected through the words and actions of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, lawyers, and diplomats in their efforts to use Washington as their megaphone. What Gotlieb fails to see is that those days where we had a truly receptive audience with the Americans have passed, and we must now look for a new, clearer way to spread the Canadian word.
Where has our speech gone? Where have the glory days of our involvement in the Suez Canal Crisis run to, replaced today by stories such as our foreign aid being scrutinized by Bono of U2? When we look to the south, American policies come into view, blazing the point of national interest. Our nation’s luminance is often overshadowed by that of that of the United States, and we must now rebuild to inspire new light, so that all Canadians regain an individual voice, one not overcome by American halogen ideas. We cannot rely on the Americans to carry our voice for us, because if we do, the message will be greatly altered, and the Canadian accent will soon seem much like that of an American. "Peacekeeping" will turn to "Peacemaking," and any uniqueness our country's foreign policy has will soon dissolve.
This is where the voice of Stein rings loud, and offers a new alternative for the future of Canada. Stein, a University of Toronto scholar and head of the Monk Institute, believes in an idealistic future where we no longer depend solely on the government to express our views, but where we the people express them ourselves, through grassroots organizations and N.G.O.’s. An excerpt from Janice Stein says: “Above all, Canada must have a responsible, independent voice in global politics.” She follows up by adding that we can go where the United States cannot, for example, talks with Cuba, or North Korea, both countries that America often refuses or is unable to talk to. What Canada says and does globally helps us define ourselves, and we have the power to speak strategically in several important ways. We must rebuild our foreign plan strong so that it lasts against the tide of new international waves. It must be built so that we also remain independent from the United States. It must include greater foreign aid, and a much greater presence in our peacekeeping missions around the world. And, as Stein argues, the pressure for this change must come from the people.
Canada is not simply going to snap its fingers and suddenly become influential once again. We must first instill a greater national sense of lasting pride in Canadians. This can be achieved many ways, from an improved national sports program to greater funding for Canadian artists. The end result would see huge improvements in international events, such as the Olympics, and film festivals. As more Canadians become recognized throughout the world, the name of our nation will resonate in the global village. This will result in greater pride, which will encourage Canadians to want a greater national presence. We must represent and strengthen the United Nations, and pressure countries to respect the decisions of the World Court to ensure that the world sees Canada as a driving force towards global justice. Through N.G.O.s and the support of the general public, we can create a new generation of globally educated Canucks.
With more emphasis on teaching our youth about politics, law, and other essential requirement for the world stage, we will be able to send this new generation out into the world where they will represent Canada with new ideas, and the political awareness to advertise them. This is what will motivate a Canadian teenager to sew the Canadian flag on their knapsack. This is what will show the world how a Canadian is not an American. This is what will make us unique and great, and we must cherish it. How will we re-kindle the flame if we no longer are proud to be Canadian? Canadians take pride in who we are, and how we are seen on the world scene. We must improve upon the humble role we play, and the new national conscience will be driven by inspired youths, followed by N.G.O.’s, grassroots organizations, and a responsible government. Lets start a new beginning to play the international game in our own unique style of our land, our nation, our Canada.