Event Summary:
Summary by
Marcin Mokrzewksi
Keynote Speaker:
Hon. Bob Rae, MP, Foreign Affairs Critic
Thursday, 22 April, 2010, 6:30pm
McMillan LLP, Brookfield Place
181 Bay Street, Suite 4400
On April 22nd, 2010, CIC-Toronto branch and McMillan LLP co-hosted the Honourable Bob Rae to deliver his keynote address entitled "Canada's Foreign Policy Priorities - What should they be?"
Before a full audience, Bill Hearn, McMillan LLP, introduced our distinguished guest, the current Foreign Affairs Critic and former Premier of Ontario.
Mr. Rae opened the address by stating that Canada's foreign policy goals should have one overarching objective: To help build a world that is prosperous, sustainable and socially just.
Focusing on trade, Mr. Rae stated that due to our relative size, both in population and economic power, we rely predominantly on strong multilateral institutions to build our trading relationships. However, the current freeze in the Doha round of WTO negotiations is shifting the focus to bilateral agreements, if only for the lack of alternatives. Though not ideal, he emphasized that such bilateral agreements give Canada a certain opportunity to make their mark in the world, alluding to the current discussions surrounding the Canada-Columbia free trade negotiations and Canada's efforts to incorporate human rights issues into the broader agreement.
Furthermore, as our economy becomes further internationalized, the question of sustainability requires a greater degree of cooperation between nations to avoid the implications of environmental disaster. Mr. Rae stated that Canada should play a stronger role in the forging of such multilateral institutions, rather than merely waiting on our American counterparts to act before we do.
Shifting to Canada's political engagement with the world, Mr. Rae contextualized our involvement by highlighting how our current level of international citizenship was derived from necessity and stemmed largely from our involvement in both in the First and Second World Wars. The combination of full military engagement all the while being spared the destruction of our economy, infrastructure and institutions, thrust us onto the centre stage. It was through this unique occurrence of events that we, as a nation found ourselves playing such a pivotal role in affairs ranging from the creation of GATT, the legitimation of Peacekeeping and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Yet as the past few decades have seen a massive transformation; from an era defined by international conflicts and ideological clashes to one were the bulk of conflicts occur within the confines of a nation state (additionally making intervention far more difficult due to the inherent infringement on sovereignty that such action requires).
Mr. Rae than cited what he calls "Africa's world war", in which more than 12 million civilians have died, and countless more have been displaced. Although certain events have drawn attention from the West, notably the situation in Darfur and the Rwandan genocide, those are but two facets of a much broader conflict and must be addressed.
It is in light of these geopolitical changes that we find ourselves asking "where does Canada fit?". Mr. Rae suggested that this shift requires a return to the proverbial drawing board, for we must reassess our role and our capacities should we wish to become more involved on the international scene.
For instance, while there is much debate on the future of Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, Mr. Rae stated his belief that it would be unconscionable at present to leave as many have suggested. Although the nature of our military involvement may indeed change following the 2011 time table, he stated, that in concert with the Liberal party, he opposes "cutting & running", and that we must focus instead on transitioning into a role that is more sustainable over the long run, one which helps create the strong institutions and legitimate centralized authority needed for a functioning country. And sometimes, this requires a strong constabulary, referring to Churchill's famous Fulton address.
Lastly, Mr. Rae touched on issues of development and international aid. Lauding the work that countless Canadians do to help other nations grow and develop, whether in the private or public sectors, he also reiterated his belief that international development must not be separated from our wider foreign policy activities, and that attempts to integrate it are being vigorously discussed within the Liberal party.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Rae challenged the audience by asking, "We think we know what we want to do as a country, but how do we actually do it in the way that makes it most effective?" Jo-Ann Davis, President, CIC-Toronto branch, moderated the Question & Answer period, and concluded the event by thanked Mr Rae on behalf of everyone present and inviting all those in attendance to the post-event cocktail reception.
View the event flyer: Flyer.
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