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Question 1: The 1995 Policy Review and SinceWhich values and interests bear most fundamentally on Canada's foreign policy? How can Canada's foreign policy better reflect the concerns and priorities of Canadians? |
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| Contributor: | 1871 |
| Date: |
2003-05-01 09:10:29 |
| Answer: |
Currently, I do not feel that we have an effective foreign policy at all. The politicians echo the platitudes and "sound bites" but fail to commit to a rational foreign policy. This week we are committed to multi-lateralism vis-a-vis the United Nations, next week it will be bi-lateral relations with the U.S. Furthermore, these "committments" can all revolve around the same issue and are based on no clear criteria. The result is an irrational (even whimsical)foreign policy which only dilutes the effectivenes of our international influence. Other nations will cease to heed our requests or policies. After all, they will be different next week.
Our foreign policy should be based on a clear list of priorities which outline our international committments and policies. When these priorities come in to conflict, then a decision should could be made accordingly. Thsi would make our foreign policy more transparent and rational.
If we only act on the request and/or approval of the Security Council, then that should be the case each and every time. If our priority is with bilateral US-Canada relations, then we should act even without Security Council. Whatever, the case our foreign policy should not be guided by personal differences and small-interest groups. |
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