Governments, like gardeners, reap what they sow. Trudeau’s continuation of Harper’s Conservative Mideast foreign policy has reaped the current mess with Saudi Arabia. The Liberal brain trust must be wondering, “what do we have to do? We slavishly back the odious Saudi regime and they freak over an innocuous tweet.” The Trudeau government has largely... Continue Reading →
Critical voices needed at development studies conference
Are they critical thinkers or cheerleaders pretending to be independent of the government that funds them? Given the title conference organizers chose — “Is Canada Back: delivering on good intentions?” — one would guess the latter. But, an independent researcher keeps an open mind. Publicity for the mid-September conference organized by the Canadian Council for... Continue Reading →
Trudeau’s broken promise part of build-up to war against Iran
Another Liberal broken promise. Before becoming prime minister, Justin Trudeau promised to re-engage with Iran. His government has failed to do so and is beginning to echo the warmongers in Washington and Tel Aviv. “I would hope that Canada would be able to reopen its mission [in Tehran],” Trudeau told the CBC in June 2015.... Continue Reading →
NDP flirts with anti-Russian extreme right
In response to Ukrainian Canadian Congress campaigning, two NDP MLAs recently convinced the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to withdraw a brand of Russian vodka from its stores. Alberta MLAs Deron Bilous and Jessica Littlewood argued that a hammer and sickle logo on a bottle of vodka was “offensive“. Articulating a growing rightist effort to... Continue Reading →
Who cares about Ottawa interference in Venezuela’s election?
Is there no voice in Parliament willing to denounce Canadian interference in another country’s electoral process? The Trudeau government is engaged in a wide-ranging campaign to weaken Venezuela’s elected government. In a bid to elicit “regime change,” Ottawa has worked to isolate Caracas, imposed sanctions, and supported the country’s opposition. Recently, foreign minister Chrystia Freeland... Continue Reading →
Real concern should be Singh’s support of Canadian violence
We should be concerned about Jagmeet Singh’s support for political violence. But not the stuff that’s making news. While the media makes much of the new NDP head’s ties/indifference to Sikh violence, they’ve ignored Singh’s leadership of a party/community that has repeatedly backed Canadian aggression. In a Rabble story on the controversy, Karl Nerenberg described... Continue Reading →
Maple Leafs swimming in choppy Canadian imperial waters
Hey Maple Leafs, be careful which traditions you honour. On Saturday the Leafs play an outdoor game against the Washington Capitals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. To mark the occasion the team created a jersey with the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) "Ready, Aye, Ready" motto on it. The website... Continue Reading →
NDP marches with USA on Venezuela
Has it become NDP policy to support US-backed coups in Latin America? The Canadian social democratic party’s foreign critic Hélène Laverdière has certainly remained silent regarding US leaders musing about a military coup or invasion of Venezuela and has openly supported asphyxiating the left-wing government through other means. At the start of the month US... Continue Reading →
When siding with Israel supports Trump, Canada abstains
Thank you President Donald Trump and US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley for helping end the Trudeau government’s ‘Israel no matter what’ voting pattern. On Thursday Canada actually abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution, which “affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy... Continue Reading →
How can First Nations believe Canada is a force for good in the world?
The power of foreign policy nationalism is immense. Even the primary victims of the Canadian state have been drawn into this country’s mythology. Dispossessed of 99% of their land, Indigenous people have been made wards of the state, had their movement restricted and religious/cultural ceremonies banned. Notwithstanding their antagonistic relationship to the Canadian state, indigenous... Continue Reading →
Undermining Venezuela’s socialist government nothing new for Canada
Alongside Washington and Venezuela’s elite, the Trudeau government is seeking to oust President Nicolás Maduro. While Ottawa’s campaign has recently grown, official Canada has long opposed the pro-poor, pro-working class Bolivarian Revolution, which has won 19 of 21 elections since 1998. Following a similar move by the Trump Administration, Global Affairs Canada sanctioned 40 Venezuelans... Continue Reading →
Despite mythology Canada has long been a player in nuclear arms race
A house built on an imaginary foundation may be a "dream home" but it can never be lived in. The same holds true in politics. One need not mythologize Canadian foreign policy history to oppose the Trudeau government's egregious position on nuclear arms. In fact, "benevolent Canada" dogma weakens the critical consciousness needed to reject the policies... Continue Reading →
Most ‘free trade’ critics silent after Israel FTA overrides Canadian law
Two weeks ago the worst fear of Canadian opponents of neoliberal "free trade" agreements came true. Surprisingly, there has been almost no reaction from the political parties, unions, and other organizations that warned these agreements would be used to undermine Canadian law, even though this is exactly what happened. After David Kattenburg repeatedly complained about inacurate... Continue Reading →
Standing up for Palestine boosts Ashton’s popularity
Sometimes silence in politics speaks louder than words. Israel lobby groups' response (or lack thereof) to NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton's recent support of Palestinian rights suggests they believe previous criticisms backfired. Two months ago B'nai B'rith attacked Ashton for attending a rally in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike and a subsequent Facebook post... Continue Reading →
Canada’s contribution to the Belgian Congo holocaust
Canada’s 150th anniversary offers a unique opportunity to shed light on some darker corners of Canadian history. One of the dustier chapters is our contribution to one of the most barbarous regimes of the last century and a half. In a bid to extract rubber and other commodities from his personal colony, Belgian King Léopold... Continue Reading →
Dallaire does not deserve accolades from progressive organizations
Repeat after me: Roméo Dallaire is not progressive. And paying Dallaire to speak at your meeting does not further the cause of international peace and a just system of international relations. I was reminded yet again of how many supposed “progressive” organizations seem confused about Dallaire and what he represents after learning he and Irwin... Continue Reading →
Canadian companies caught with hands in African colonial cookie jar
The recent seizure of phosphate from a Moroccan state company in South Africa and Panama is a blow to corporate Canada and a victory for national independence struggles. It should also embarrass the Canadian media. This month courts in Port Elizabeth and Panama City okayed requests by the POLISARIO Front asking South Africa and Panama... Continue Reading →
No joke, Canadian imperialism is longstanding in Caribbean
Perhaps a new rule is in order: Everyone must take a history lesson before seeking some fun in the sun. Recently, NDP Member of Parliament Erin Weir asked if Canada should try to expand into the former British slave colonies. “The slush we’re getting in Regina is no fun. Right about now, a lot of... Continue Reading →
Lester Pearson was no ‘honest broker’ or friend of Palestine
It’s no wonder Canadians are confused about their country’s place in the world when a leading advocate of the Palestinian cause praises the official most responsible for dispossessing Palestinians. In an article about a recent poll showing Canadians have a negative attitude towards Israel, reject the notion criticizing Israel is anti-Semitic and believe the media... Continue Reading →
Toronto Star leaves readers ignorant of Canada’s real role in Africa
The media’s foreign affairs motto often seems to be ignorance is bliss. The Toronto Star, for instance, has devoted significant attention to the Trudeau government’s plan to dispatch 600 soldiers to Africa, but it has largely ignored the most relevant information. In a recent installment of its “Should Canada go to Africa?” series the Star quoted former Royal Military College board member... Continue Reading →
You must be logged in to post a comment.