On Parliament Hill

In a speech to the House of Commons last Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the Trudeau Government’s foreign policy objectives.

THAT the House (a) recognize that the government is committed to a foreign policy that supports multilateralism and rules-based international systems, human rights, gender equality, the fight against climate change, and economic benefits being shared by all; (b) recognize that further leadership on the part of Canada is both desirable and required; and, (c) support the Government’s decision to use the foregoing principles to guide Canadian foreign policy‎.

What was largely expected to be little more than a knee jerk reaction to the policies of President Donald Trump turned out to be a well-researched and well delivered speech. While we differ ideologically – and in many cases practically – I must give Ms. Freeland credit where credit is due. There were certain aspects of the speech that most Canadians, including Conservatives, could support. I agree with Ms. Freeland that there are times when the use of principled force is required and that Canada must have a strong, well trained and well-funded military capable of defending our national sovereignty and doing our part on the world stage. I also appreciated Ms. Freeland’s diplomacy; offering an olive branch and saying thank you to our friends in the United States for carrying the weight of leadership that they do on the world stage.

Unfortunately, there were many points on which I must wholeheartedly disagree with Chrystia Freeland and her colleagues.

I had to shake my head at Ms. Freeland’s discussion of “the sanctity of borders” when our own border has been described as “Swiss cheese” and is being violated on a daily basis. Instead of taking action on illegal migration – which could allow people affiliated with the Islamic State to enter Canada – Freeland described our border as “Stable and predictable.” Not so under Justin Trudeau.

I was utterly appalled that in a 45 minute address on foreign policy there were three sections that dealt with climate change but there was not one mention of radical Islamic terrorism. After multiple attacks on our allies in the past two weeks alone, to ignore and omit the threat of ISIS goes well beyond ideology and into the realm of foolishness. Radical Islamic terror poses a serious and real threat to Canadians. The Trudeau government needs to get its head out the sand, call it what it is and address this threat before it’s too late.

When he was elected, Justin Trudeau stated that Canadas was “back” on the world stage.

Yet, the Liberals continue to refuse to use the term radical Islamic terrorism. They have refused to call the killing of Christians, Yazidis, Assyrians, and other religious and sexual minorities by ISIS genocide. They have loosened sanctions on Iran despite the regime being a state sponsor of terror committed to the destruction of Israel. They have restored funding to the anti-Semitic UN Relief and works Agency. They have granted numerous concessions to China – a country with an abysmal human rights record – including the sale of advanced weapons technology, with virtually nothing to show for it. They have normalized relations with Russia despite Vladimir Putin’s invasion and occupation of sovereign Ukrainian territory. The list goes on and on.

Is this what it looks like to be “back”? Sadly, it’s what happens when the Trudeau Liberals run a foreign policy. The only consolation is it is still nowhere close to as bad as their handling of domestic policy.

The Prime Minister has shown an utter lack of leadership on the world stage – unless you count taking selfies, flying to private islands and deploying cardboard cut-outs as leadership. The Liberals have clearly put their political goal of winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council ahead of promoting real Canadian values abroad.

Conservatives, therefore, oppose this motion. We need to prioritize Canada’s national interests and those of our traditional allies. Conservatives believe in a principled foreign policy which promotes Canadian values like freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We need to stand with our allies and stand up to those who oppose those values.