Canada, host countries should bolster efforts to mitigate COVID-19 spread in ‘displaced communities,’ says refugee advocacy group
With the peak of the pandemic still “three to six months” away from hitting regions gripped by humanitarian crises, an international refugee advocacy group is calling on the global community to step up its efforts to ensure vulnerable groups receive support needed to protect themselves from the virus. In a report released on Wednesday, Refugees […]
Where’s the money?: Questions loom over need for better foreign policy funding
Following Canada’s failure to win a seat on the UN Security Council, foreign affairs experts and former diplomats are raising the concern that funding for Global Affairs is insufficient despite budget increases over the last four years. Former Chrétien-era cabinet ministers and past diplomats Allan Rock and Sergio Marchi penned an op-ed this week in […]
Inclusive and resilient global agriculture systems can address climate crisis and COVID recovery
Global hunger has been rising since 2015, and food producers are hardest hit. Erratic weather is making it harder to produce food. Gender inequality holds back women, who make up a large percentage of farmers in developing countries. And now COVID-19 is impacting producers and consumers alike. Canada has taken bold actions on the global […]
UN Security Council election win could boost Trudeau’s international capital, says former diplomat
With the UN Security Council election set to take place in a week, Canada’s success or failure in the vote could have a lasting effect on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy legacy in what may be a “barometer” on Canada’s place in the world. If Canada is to fall short of the necessary 129 […]
On guard for thee: global citizenship and Canada-U.S. relations
To suggest the United States would station troops along the longest undefended border in the world slashed a psychological wound between Canada and the United States. COVID-19 shut the Canada-U.S. border down, but it was the speed with which leaders of historically friendly countries agreed to go their separate ways that left indelible scars. Under […]
Read all about it: Digital Government Minister Murray’s team so far
Digital Government Minister Joyce Murray is busy leading efforts to replace the government’s Phoenix pay system and cut down the pay backlog, among other things, with Ashley Wright in place leading her policy team. Along with serving as director of policy to Ms. Murray, Ms. Wright is also currently acting as chief of staff to […]
Trudeau’s grand African adventure the Fyre Festival of Security Council campaigns
OTTAWA—Canada is the student who doesn’t want to do any of the readings or assignments but thinks it deserves an “A” at the University of the United Nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Africa last week to campaign for a two-year, rotating seat on the UN Security Council. The last time Canada tried to achieve […]
How Canada can eliminate lethal barriers to development
This International Development Week, Global Affairs Canada is asking Canadians to think about the UN’s sustainable development goals, and to take action to #GoForTheGoals, but it appears that one crucial prerequisite for sustainable development is being overlooked again. In 59 states, and other areas around the world, landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of […]
A new Canadian peace centre could make a world of difference
Who isn’t concerned about our shared global challenges? It’s hard to miss overlapping crises, many fuelled by militarism, marginalization, and inequality. Canada provided pivotal leadership and ideas in the past and it could definitely help again. The recently announced Canadian Centre for Peace, Order, and Good Government therefore is a much-needed step in the right […]
From ‘failed state’ to stability: Rwanda has made ‘impressive’ strides, says envoy
A former Rwandan presidential candidate, who once served as a cabinet minister and a Senate vice-president, is starting his diplomatic career in Canada. High Commissioner Prosper Higiro’s path to politics was “very difficult,” and during a Nov. 28 interview, he explained that journey first began with his family’s decision to stay in Rwanda in the […]
