The challenge: globalization that works for all
A dark cloud is threatening the world’s economy. This is the backlash to globalization, and the great dangers a retreat from globalization would pose for an increasingly crowded planet and its ability to cope with increasingly complex problems, such as global growth and employment, climate change, global financial stability, migration, and terrorism. These problems cannot […]
Trudeau failing to gain traction on softwood lumber pact, say opposition MPs for logging districts
The Liberal government is being accused of squandering an historic opportunity to leverage the close relationship between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama to secure a new agreement on softwood lumber with the United States by opposition MPs who represent ridings with a strong forestry sector. Conservative MP Todd Doherty (Cariboo-Prince George, B.C.) said the Liberals have failed to make any […]
Well known Korean defence attaché leaves Ottawa this month
You might know them from one of the “countless” receptions, dinners, or conferences they have attended during his three-year posting in Canada. Now, Korean defence attaché Colonel Jang Min Choi and his spouse, Angela Son, are leaving on Aug. 12. Col. Choi and Ms. Son certainly made an impression upon the diplomatic community while posted in Ottawa. […]
A glimpse of a Trump presidency
LONDON, U.K.—Let us suppose that it is July 2017. Let us suppose that Donald Trump, nominated as the Republican candidate for the United States presidency exactly a year ago, won the November election—quite narrowly, perhaps, but the polls are certainly suggesting that such a thing is possible. So he was inaugurated six months ago, and […]
Liberals’ expanded Colombia human rights report still falls short: Rights advocates
The Liberal government released its first take on an annual report on human rights in Colombia last week, which included an expanded section on human rights issues in the country but still fell short of the expectations of labour and human rights advocates. The report, which has been criticized every year since it was first […]
Saudi ambassador breaks his silence
Saudi Arabia’s top official in Canada is defending his country’s human rights record and a controversial $15-billion sale of Canadian-made armoured vehicles to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, noting that despite “misleading information” in the media, he still believes the contract will bring the two countries closer. After a couple years under fire, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to […]
How Canada should support low-carbon growth abroad
At last year’s Paris climate change agreement, all countries committed to help adapt to climate change and reduce emissions. Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) now needs to focus on realizing these commitments. Ensuring maximum impact will require attending to areas where need is greatest and where Canada has particular expertise. A core focus should be […]
Feds won’t commit to expanding Colombia human rights report
Canada’s Liberal government won’t say if it has taken a new approach to a soon-to-be tabled annual human rights report that has disappointed labour and civil rights activists for years. On the heels of a human rights group’s report alleging labour rights violations by a Canadian company in Colombia, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) declined […]
Harper appointees replaced, more women added to Canada’s roster of ambassadors
Tuesday morning started off with a big shuffle as 26 new diplomatic appointments were announced, some replacing political appointments made under the previous Tory government. As it did with its last shuffle, the department included a statement at the top of the list of appointments stating the government’s “commitment to ensure its diplomatic leaders represent a […]
Monarch butterflies: symbol or symptom?
OTTAWA—It’s a strange day in Ottawa when our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Barack Obama, and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto chat about butterfly biology and conservation at a press conference. Or perhaps not: monarch butterflies have evolved into a symbol of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and their populations have plummeted. […]
