Get rid of polio for good
It was just 22 years ago, in 1994, that Canada was declared “polio-free.” Until a vaccine was developed in 1955, polio crippled tens of thousands of Canadians, mostly children, peaking in 1953 when 500 died. Canada’s last major polio epidemic was in 1959, with just under 2,000 paralyzed. Many of us have family members who […]
Deadline for a better world is fast approaching
A year ago, 193 leaders gathered in New York and agreed on 17 goals to change the world. Eliminate poverty, end hunger, and achieve gender equality were among a few of these targets. The set deadline, 2030, is fast approaching and if Canada wants to continue its global leadership, we must act now. In 1970 […]
What everyone’s afraid to say: we can’t achieve the Global Goals
There is something that everyone is afraid to say: the Global Goals cannot be achieved. At least, not unless major changes are made in how progress is measured. At the recent United Nations General Assembly high-level meetings, the juxtaposition between a global gathering centred on peace and the malicious, violent explosions in New York and […]
How Canada can be a global leader on the Sustainable Development Goals
All eyes were on the United Nations two weeks ago as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his inaugural speech to the General Assembly. The speech was forward-looking, laying out a hopeful and ambitious case for building inclusive and diverse societies, and recognizing that Canadians are unavoidably affected by and linked to “what happens beyond our […]
A fresh voice for Canada in world affairs
OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau is putting the force of his personality and fast-growing international reputation on the line as he bucks the trend toward bitter, beggar-thy-neighbour nativism by arguing at the United Nations for generous, inclusive government policy. Trudeau, who has attracted more global media attention than any Canadian leader in decades, is moving to make Canada […]
Hosting Montreal conference shows Canada is back on the global stage
Last weekend, the Canadian government successfully hosted the fifth Global Fund replenishment conference in Montreal. If the objective was to demonstrate that Canada can be called upon to rally the international community around urgent global issues, it was achieved. The fund almost reached the $13-billion pledge target ($12.9-billion on last count, with some pledges still […]
Politics this morning: Trudeau, Bibeau in New York City
Today is Tuesday, September 20. Here are the seven political events happening today that you should know about: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will give his first address as prime minister at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today. He will likely try to rebrand Canada to the multilateral organization, which the previous […]
Dr. Jim Yong Kim: a pro-child banker
In 1994 when he treated tuberculosis patients in Peru, Dr. Jim Yong Kim blamed Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori’s and the World Bank’s austerity measures for worsening poverty and epidemics. While posted at the World Health Organization, he sought to provide even the poorest AIDS patients with treatment. He negotiated lower prices for antiretrovirals. That was […]
Canada-Africa economic ties at a crossroads
Stephen Harper’s Conservative government focused on economic diplomacy over development challenges in Africa. Now, Ottawa’s policymakers under Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government face the daunting challenge of managing Africa’s socio-economic development imperative with Canada’s commercial interests, especially when it comes to natural-resources governance throughout the continent. Challenges ahead The African region possesses vast mineral and oil […]
DM Peter Boehm earns colleagues’ respect as mentor, mental health advocate
When I emailed Peter Boehm, the new deputy minister for international development, for an interview, he responded almost immediately. He’d be happy to speak with me, either over the phone or to meet me in person at his office. It was a pleasant surprise: high-level government officials such as Mr. Boehm are rarely so accessible […]
