John Chuckman
COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE BY NAHLAH AYED IN CBC NEWS
“Canada as a middle power in an upended world: Time for a foreign policy reset?
“Growing chorus of experts says it's time to rethink Canada's role”
Canada’s role in the world largely has already been “rethought,” only the rethinking has been done by others. We have abandoned the role of thinking for ourselves in international affairs – a role exemplified by leaders like Pierre Trudeau and Lester Pearson.
The United States is on a tear such as we have not seen. In recognition of its relative decline in the world since the postwar period, its establishment is taking ferociously aggressive action against those it labels as “adversaries.”
Canada’s new role is simply to support America’s effort and provide another favorable vote for it in all international forums and organizations. A cheerleader for empire. An empire now displaying open hostility and aggression and lack of respect for the rule of law in international affairs.
Trudeau’s past firing of Stephane Dion as Foreign Minister and his appointment of Chrystia Freeland in his place marked an historic step. Under Freeland, American foreign policy has simply dominated Canada. All of the work of the 20th century by eminent Liberals is gone. It has been across-the-board support for America’s ugliest policies abroad, albeit more quietly expressed.
Now, Trudeau has given her the title of Deputy Prime Minister, and it is clear she is being groomed as successor. Press coverage has been embarrassingly flattering of a person whose genuine achievements are so few.
Trudeau’s historic role will have been to bring her into government at a very high post and then to hand off the Liberal Party’s future to her. We have released confidential State Department documents about how well they regard her and how she represents Canada’s literally being on America’s side.
Our only party which, in past decades, stood up to America’s excesses while in office has pretty much resigned the role. Just really discouraging. The Conservatives, of course, following the fall of Diefenbaker, have long embraced American policy and can be counted on to continue.
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Note the term "middle power" is long out-of-date, having no meaningful application in the emerging world. It's actually a bit of empty self-flattery to use it.
