Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law. It has led to thousands of deaths, millions of refugees and tens of billions of dollars in damage. Troublingly, the situation could get worse if the escalatory politics sweeping Canada is any indication. A month ago, Ottawa was unwilling to send lethal weapons... Continue Reading →
Condemn the invasion, but retain your critical faculties
Moscow’s bombing and invasion of Ukraine must be condemned by all those who believe in a rules-based international order and peaceful solutions to world problems. Hopefully Russian internationalists can come together to create a peace movement powerful enough to pressure their government. While criticizing Russian imperialism, however, we shouldn’t lose sight of Canada’s significant role... Continue Reading →
Media can’t even tell the truth about foreign policy history
Media coverage of Canadian foreign policy is uniquely one-sided and biased. It’s so bad that few readers, listeners or viewers will have ever seen or heard an honest analysis of this country’s past, let alone current role around the world. A recent Maclean’s story titled “The long history of ‘go back to where you came... Continue Reading →
Mainstream media boosts Trudeau’s popularity over Venezuela
US presidents have bombed or invaded places like Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Sudan to distract from domestic scandals or to gain a quick boost in popularity. But, do Canadian politicians also pursue regime change abroad to be cheered on by the dominant media as decisive leaders? In a discussion on regime change in Venezuela after... Continue Reading →
Canadian interference in Venezuela domestic affairs decades old
According to the official story that the Liberal government and most of the mainstream media have been trying to sell, Ottawa recently recognized the leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly as that country’s president because Nicolas Maduro suspended the constitution 18 months ago and thus lost legitimacy. Thus, Ottawa intervened aggressively to re-establish democratic order there.... Continue Reading →
Will Canada’s love affair with Israel last?
Pro-Israel lobbyists have had it good in Canada. The outgoing government is wildly supportive and the "Left" party recently purged a number of candidates for publicly expressing pro-Palestinian sympathies. But the election this fall may turn out to be zenith of Israeli influence. Stephen Harper's pro-Israelism is legend. At the General Assembly this week, Canadian... Continue Reading →
Canada in Africa book tour begins this week
Stephen Harper is not The Problem but getting rid of him is a necessary first step in changing Canada’s militaristic, pro-corporate international posture that focuses on what’s best for business rather than helping the world’s poorest. This will be one of the messages during a 20-city pre-election tour for the just-released Canada in Africa: 300... Continue Reading →
Got a billion? They will listen
We've all heard many times that "money talks" in politics but it was unclear how loudly. Now we know --one billionaire is heard over 50,000 ordinary Canadians. While about 50,000 people and 175 organizations supported Up for Debate's call for an election debate focused on women's issues, it won't happen because Stephen Harper refused to participate and... Continue Reading →
Top 10 things you didn’t know about Canada in Africa
10. Canada is a mining superpower in Africa. With mines in 35 countries, Canadian companies operate hundreds of mineral projects across the continent. 9. Canada trained the army command that overthrew Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah and Canada’s high commissioner privately celebrated the coup. 8. A Canadian led the expedition to conquer the Katanga region... Continue Reading →
Canadian crimes against humanity in Africa
Should Africans pursue Stephen Harper for crimes against humanity? The Africa Progress Report 2015 suggests they may have a solid moral, if not necessarily legal, case. Led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Africa Progress Panel highlights Canada and Australia as two countries that “have withdrawn entirely from constructive international engagement on climate.”... Continue Reading →
Glorifying a very bad war
In their bid to brand Canada a "warrior nation," Stephen Harper's Conservatives seek to glorify Canadian military history, regardless of its horrors. On Saturday Canada's Minister of Veteran Affairs released a statement to mark "113 years since the end of the South African war." Erin O'Toole said, "Canada commemorates all those who served in South Africa, contributing... Continue Reading →
Canadian arms sale promotes misogyny, royal repression
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper claims to take "strong, principled positions in our dealings with other nations, whether popular or not." But, even the most ardent Conservative supporters must wonder what principled position is behind the recent government-sponsored arms deal with Saudi Arabia that will send over $10 billion worth of Light Armoured Vehicles to... Continue Reading →
Work is a fundamental human right
A just society should provide everyone with access to a job yet nearly 2 million Canadians can’t find work. Officially 6.9 per cent of the Canadian workforce is unemployed. But this number rises to 10.3 per cent when those who’ve given up searching for work are included. Counting “discouraged workers”, about 1.8 million Canadians can’t... Continue Reading →
Canada: An investment bully
Should the "right" of a foreign corporation to make a profit trump governments' attempts to create local jobs, improve environmental regulations or establish laws that raise royalty rates? Most Canadians would say no. But that's what the Conservative government is pushing poor countries to accept if they want Canadian investment. Barely noticed in the media,... Continue Reading →
Condemning is easy, but understanding is necessary
There are no shades of grey, no nuance or even cause and effect in the simplistic world view proclaimed by the current Canadian government. The Conservatives' response to the horrific attack in Nairobi's Westgate Mall has been to thump their chests and proclaim their anti-terror bona fides. "The fight against international terrorism is the great struggle... Continue Reading →
What is Ottawa’s position on the UN veto?
We support the UN veto, except when used against something we want. That seems to be Ottawa’s position towards the ability of the five permanent members of the Security Council to veto resolutions. Recently Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister John Baird criticized the possibility of Russia vetoing a UN resolution authorizing military action... Continue Reading →
Ottawa’s friendship with Egyptian military not helpful
Once again Conservative ideology has trumped what's right. Prominent Toronto filmmaker/professor John Greyson and London, Ontario, physician/professor Tarek Loubani have been locked up in an Egyptian jail for nearly 40 days. After a prosecutor recently extended their detention by 15 days, these two courageous individuals launched a hunger strike demanding their release or to at... Continue Reading →
Canada’s chemical weapons problem: credibility
Somewhere in the Lester B. Pearson Building, Canada’s foreign affairs headquarters, must be a meeting room with the inscription “The World Should Do as We Say, Not As We Do” or perhaps “Hypocrites ‘R Us.” With the Obama administration beating the war drums, Canadian officials are demanding a response to the Syrian regime’s alleged use... Continue Reading →
Conservative’s Syria policy is make war not peace
The Obama administration is looking to attack Syria. If they go forward without UN approval, the US would once again be violating international law and would likely inflame a conflict that’s already left 100,000 dead and displaced millions more. For its part, Ottawa seems to want military action. Last week Prime Minister Stephen Harper said,... Continue Reading →
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