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Question 4: Security

In promoting the security of Canadians, where should our priorities lie? Should Canada give a higher priority to military combat operations? To sectors such as intelligence gathering and analysis? Or should we focus on broader security measures, such as combatting environmental degradation and the spread of infectious disease? What should be our distinctive role in promoting global security?

 

 
 
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Contributor:1900
Date: 2003-05-01 15:31:35
Answer:
Canada should definitely NOT give higher priority to military combat operations. We should, on the other hand, strengthen our capacity to engage in international peacekeeping and immediate post-conflict re-construction.

We should also be prepared to engage in conflict resolution missions which would hopefully prevent military conflict.

Canada can offer many countries the benefit of excellent policing skills training, training in human rights, in inter-ethnic, inter-racial and inter-faith co-operation.

A focus on conflict prevention would also include combatting environmental degradation (e.g. through implementation of the Kyoto Protocol) and preparedness for dealing with ecological refugees as climate change continues to reduce the capacity of many areas to provide sustainable livelihoods. (See the World Council of Churches paper: "Solidarity with Victims of Climate Change".
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