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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?

 

 

Excerpt Contributor Date
We should focus on broader security measures. We should
NOT participate in the US's National Missle Defense plan.
The recent Columbia tragedy is an example of the
problems which arise when we use complex technology.
Since a missle defense will be exceedingly complex, this accident is a dem
jayannee 2003-05-01 21:02:01
Priorities shift with a changing environment. The use of force can only be justified as a last resort and in very special circumstances. Canada has always been a nation known for its peacekeeping missions and its commitment to peace. Military preparedness and combat should not be one of our prioriti 1903 2003-05-01 21:01:53
Clearly our strength lies in joining with other nations to present a united front against threats to our country.

Living so near to the U.S. makes building up our military a moot, if not laughable, point. Either we are protected by them, or we will be destroyed by them.

We should focus our
1905 2003-05-01 20:52:53
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 w
1900 2003-05-01 15:43:01
Canada's role in promoting global security should primarily focus on combatting environmental degradation, encouraging growth of local economies, and promoting preventative health care. People are less inclined to threaten national security if their own economies are flourishing and they enjoy 1897 2003-05-01 15:42:48
I am answering this question from a bias that violence begets more violence and thus a combat role for our military is counter-productive except when a foriegn power invades our soveriegn boundaries. For this we need the UN to intervene. And generally we need an international police force that has s 1899 2003-05-01 15:42:36
We should completely shift from the view of security we currently have. We need to see security in terms of securing the basics needs for all Canadians as well as others in the world. I believe that by following the current path of security in terms of increasing military and intelligence capabiliti efuchs 2003-05-01 13:56:46
Canada should do more to address the conditions that give rise to conflict and insecurity beyond, and even within , its borders. Endemic poverty and climate change are at forefront of our preoccupations. Protection of the environment is crucial to the future health of Canadian people and to the main USC 2003-05-01 13:56:34
Dear Minister Graham:

Responding to your invitation to a dialogue on our external policy:

Canada's proper and unique role in the World is as a peacemaking nation. This is a clear mandate. It must not be compromised in any way.

The following two proposals are, in my view, essential:
eryl 2003-05-01 12:11:25
Focus on the broader questions, there are plenty to focus on the narrow. Combat environmental degradation and spread of infectious disease. Build a following in the non-developed world 1878 2003-05-01 11:51:36
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