While we may think of politics in domestic terms and what’s happening at home, we also can’t lose sight of the fact that whomever we elect also represents us on the world stage. Consequently, foreign policy, while often being overshadowed by domestic issues, is equally important as it shapes Canada’s involvement and relations with foreign nations.
Whether that be facilitating the freedom of trade that allows for Canadian consumers to buy the goods we need, or our nation’s continued commitment to human rights and equality, such acts will inevitably shape the future that today’s youth will live in.
The question then is: How do the federal parties aim to shape Canada’s foreign policy? Below, we’ve listed a few of the promises that each party has made in regards to the issue.
The Liberal Party has vowed to…
- Establish the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order, and Good Government, which will lend expertise and help to people seeking to build peace, advance justice, promote human rights and democracy, and deliver good governance.
- Introduce a permanent, dedicated refugee stream to provide a safe haven for human rights advocates, journalists, and humanitarian workers at risk, with a target of helping resettle as many as 250 people a year.
- Build on the Magnitsky sanctions regime we have put in place, by developing a framework to transfer seized assets from those who commit grave human rights abuses to their victims, with appropriate judicial oversight.
The NDP Party has vowed to…
- Boosting Canada’s international development assistance, with the goal of contributing 0.7% of our Gross National Income to international aid.
- Holding Canadian companies to a high standard of corporate responsibility at home and abroad.
- Upholding the rights of women and girls as central to the NDP’s foreign policy agenda.
The Conservative Party has vowed to…
- Strengthening Canada’s commitment to traditional alliances including providing additional military and non-military support to Ukraine.
- Advocating for human rights on the world stage by using Canada’s Magnitsky legislation and sanctions regime to target hostile regimes like Iran.
- Reopen the Office of Religious Freedom that was closed by the Liberal Government. This is with the intent of protecting freedom of religion and promote the Canadian values of tolerance and pluralism internationally.
- Re-prioritize and cut 25 percent of foreign aid spending by reducing aid to middle and upper-income countries such as Argentina, Barbados, Brazil and China, and shifting a balance of the savings to lower income countries.
- Formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and build closer ties with Israel.
The Green Party has vowed to…
- Re-establish the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that was dismantled by the Harper government, with a mandate to provide overseas development assistance where it is most needed. Eliminate the requirement that aid be tied to Canadian business interests overseas, or strategic geopolitics.
- Increase Canada’s overseas development assistance budget to reach former Prime Minister Pearson’s goal of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income. Canada has never achieved this standard, but many in the of our allies have already surpassed this in terms of their foreign aid.
- Ramp up our national contribution to the Green Climate Fund and Global Environmental Facility to $4 billion per year by 2030.
The People’s Party has vowed to…
- Prioritize relations with our main trading and defence partners, including work with the Trump administration, or whoever occupies the White House, to reinforce our friendship and cooperation.
- “Withdraw from all UN commitments, including the Global Compact on Migrations and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, that threaten our sovereignty”. They also vow to reduce Canada’s presence in UN institutions to a minimum.
- Cut expenses by phasing out development aid and focus Canadian international assistance exclusively on emergency humanitarian action in cases such as health crises, major conflicts and natural disasters.
The Bloc Quebecois have vowed to…
- “Use its right to diplomacy during international parliamentary missions to promote Québec, its sovereignty project, and to develop a network of sympathizers to Québec’s cause.”
- “Call on the federal government to promote Quebec’s clean energy to international customers and attract foreign investment.”
Liked this recap? We also highly recommend you check out Pollenize and Canada Votes if you want a higher-level breakdown of each party’s platform.
