The Facts: After Canada's embaressing defeat last year for the security seat on the United Nations Security Council, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says that the Harper government will not pursue another campaign for the seat. Baird continues to say "Listen, I mean, we don't go along to get along. That's just not a phrase," suggesting that the Harper government doesn't even want to be on the council.
Last year after the historic defeat, it sparked harsh criticism in many quarters about whether Canada's foreign policy under the Conservative government, toward Israel and away from Africa and an unpopular policy on climate change, may have cost the country support among a majority of the UN's 190-plus member countries.
The Right Wing View: After the continued critisms last year Baird defended the decision of the conservative government, saying in an interview that "Maybe if we had shut up, and not talked about gay rights in Africa; maybe if we had shut up and been more quiet about our concerns about Sri Lanka; maybe if we hadn't been so vocally against the deplorable human rights record in Iran, maybe Iran might have voted for us. But we didn't and I don't think we regret anything. Iran probably voted against us; North Korea probably voted against us; Gadhafi probably voted against us. I think those are all badges of honour," he said.
Many conservatives feel that the Harper government is being open and out-spoken with international issues, thus many countries that Canada has cristized is stubbing Canada with their vote, so there is no sense in making a bid for a seat when theres a small chance of Canada actually getting it.
Left Wing View: Many liberals feel that internationalism is very important, hence it's hard for Canada to be a world leader, without being on the security council. The left-wing voters have expressed greatly that they believe we didn't and won't get the seat because the Harper government seems to be very indecisive when it comes to making decisions on Canadian soil, and abroad.
Taylor's Take: "The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace." Seeing that the UN aims at things such as "social progress" , "human rights" and "international security" it makes me wonder why some of the most terrorist-filled and poor human right's countries are part of the UN. To me it makes the UN look contradictory. Although the UN has done some great work in past decades, I do feel that they will accept any country thats willing to give a fininical contribution. Thus I think it's a step in the right direction if the Harper government is backing away from the UN slightly. Time and time again polls have come out showing that foreigners have the most respect for Canada. Being a leader in peacekeeping, accepting large amounts of immigrants, and giving millions to foreign aid, I think Canada is and will be a international leader, with or without the UN and being on the security council. What do you think?
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