Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Outside our Borders
Do events outside our borders really matter all that much to Canadians? Just listening to local Vancouver news radio in recent days, I’ve noticed more headlines given over to happenings around the world. There’s extensive coverage of the tragedy in Spain, growing references to the Middle East, and suggestions that violence in Iraq is picking up.
It may simply be the case that Stephen Harper and Tony Clemet don’t have all that much time to sit back and take in their local broadcasters. They are, after all, in the throes of a race for the leadership of the Tory Party. I listened to the two debate on Global Sunday on 14 March 2004 and heard no mention of foreign policy, and only a few sentences, subjected to some creative interpretation, that could indicate at least a passing interest in international affairs. To be fair, both have commented on Canada and the outside world both well before and after 14 March. Yet to evade the topic in the context of a nationally televised debate is noteworthy.
Is it simply the case that the outside world is of no interest to Canadians, that both men know this, and to pretend and to act otherwise might actually exact a political price? In some minds, foreign policy is synonymous with aid to poor countries and/or spending on the military. Times are tough and shipping any dollars overseas is something many individuals and groups simply can’t stomach.
But I can’t help think how strange the proverbial visitor from another galaxy would find our penchant for navel gazing. After all, simple geography proves Canada is one of the largest states on the planet. Most of our wealth comes from being able to trade. We are not unique in having experienced SARS and bird flu. Canadian forces are in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, and other places. Immigration and refugees impact our population. Some nations see protectionism and global trade as pivotal issues, worthy of more than just a passing mention. Our neighbours to the south are retooling their debating skills for what is shaping up to be an election year in which foreign policy will play a major if not defining role. Europeans will be talking about security. The rise of China and India may be epochal, of far greater significance in the long term than the collapse of the Soviet Union.
So again I have to ask: do events outside our borders really matter all that much to Canadians? While the answer may be yes, just assured is the fact that what in part defines us seems to be that we don’t want to notice. How long can the impact of the outside world and our interest remain in inverse proportion?
Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister Paul Martin some weeks ago observed that not too long ago Canada had a palpable presence on the world stage. He added that we were once used “to punching above our weight” and vowed that the country would be there again. Will our entire national foreign policy review begin, end, and die on the vine with the Prime Minister’s observations?
Stan Markotich
"About the Author" coming soon. Submit comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com where insightful remarks will be published. ¶ 2:02 PM
Do events outside our borders really matter all that much to Canadians? Just listening to local Vancouver news radio in recent days, I’ve noticed more headlines given over to happenings around the world. There’s extensive coverage of the tragedy in Spain, growing references to the Middle East, and suggestions that violence in Iraq is picking up.
It may simply be the case that Stephen Harper and Tony Clemet don’t have all that much time to sit back and take in their local broadcasters. They are, after all, in the throes of a race for the leadership of the Tory Party. I listened to the two debate on Global Sunday on 14 March 2004 and heard no mention of foreign policy, and only a few sentences, subjected to some creative interpretation, that could indicate at least a passing interest in international affairs. To be fair, both have commented on Canada and the outside world both well before and after 14 March. Yet to evade the topic in the context of a nationally televised debate is noteworthy.
Is it simply the case that the outside world is of no interest to Canadians, that both men know this, and to pretend and to act otherwise might actually exact a political price? In some minds, foreign policy is synonymous with aid to poor countries and/or spending on the military. Times are tough and shipping any dollars overseas is something many individuals and groups simply can’t stomach.
But I can’t help think how strange the proverbial visitor from another galaxy would find our penchant for navel gazing. After all, simple geography proves Canada is one of the largest states on the planet. Most of our wealth comes from being able to trade. We are not unique in having experienced SARS and bird flu. Canadian forces are in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, and other places. Immigration and refugees impact our population. Some nations see protectionism and global trade as pivotal issues, worthy of more than just a passing mention. Our neighbours to the south are retooling their debating skills for what is shaping up to be an election year in which foreign policy will play a major if not defining role. Europeans will be talking about security. The rise of China and India may be epochal, of far greater significance in the long term than the collapse of the Soviet Union.
So again I have to ask: do events outside our borders really matter all that much to Canadians? While the answer may be yes, just assured is the fact that what in part defines us seems to be that we don’t want to notice. How long can the impact of the outside world and our interest remain in inverse proportion?
Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister Paul Martin some weeks ago observed that not too long ago Canada had a palpable presence on the world stage. He added that we were once used “to punching above our weight” and vowed that the country would be there again. Will our entire national foreign policy review begin, end, and die on the vine with the Prime Minister’s observations?
Stan Markotich
"About the Author" coming soon. Submit comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com where insightful remarks will be published. ¶ 2:02 PM
