The Scandal over Canadian Foreign Policy/Defence Scandals

Two things have been embroiling Defence Minister Peter Mackay and Foreign Minister John Baird this week.

The man is too pretty to fly economy.

First, Mackay has been in hot water over his supposed use of private airplanes for travel – up to a total of $3 million dollars worth.

Second, John Baird has been in trouble for demanding special gold business cards which are different from the regular ones used be pretty much everyone else. (I ran into Jim Flarhety a few weeks back and I have his business card. He uses the normal one.) The extra-special cards were $400. (You can read the story in this hilarious Globe and Mail piece.)

There has been a lot of ink spilled over these two stories this week. In total, we’re talking about $3,000,400. Would I like $3,000,400? Yes. I really would. But is this a substantial amount of money in the great scheme of the Canadian budget? No.

In fact, the real scandal here is the fact that these issues are the scandal.

Canadian foreign policy is directionless. There is no grand vision, no idea of our place in the world... other than as a British colonial possession from sometime during the late 19th Century. It is comprised of a series of unfinished trade agreements and reacting to events in the world, only when we really have to. Baird’s sole experiment with boldness at the UN Conference on Disarmament was a total embarrassment and a disaster.

The Department of National Defence is now in a period of transition and contraction. One can only assume that this will mean even less resources for peacekeeping training and activity. But don’t worry – we have stealth skidoos.

There have been other scandals this week – A Canadians detained or prevented from returning home in Sudan and Libya. What did the government know? Who cares! John Baird WANTS GOLD ON HIS BUSINESS CARDS. Stephen Harper is worrying about "Islamicism" - as opposed to the Islamist threat to Canada. Genius - but don't worry, I'm sure no one noticed. (I'm glad he's so familiar with that which comprises the number one threat to Canada. Sleep well kids.)

Earlier this year I posted a list of 12 foreign policy questions that I would have liked the major parties to answer during the election. I do not think I am any closer to answering most of them. Our media is so often attracted by the quick scandal rather than the big picture, and I do wonder if any of these are even being asked? But maybe the public just better understands and is more interested in the scandals over shiny objects.

Toronto the Divided or Solving the City's Problem with The Handmaiden's Tale on Four GIGANTIC wheels

You're welcome, Toronto.

As I write this, there is a marathon session in the Toronto Council over spending cuts. I’ve been following the debate on Twitter via @Torontoist who have been great with the coverage.

One of the things that has struck me a lot this week is the way that people are dividing themselves in Toronto – into Ford Nation and Not-Ford Nation. Or as if Toronto has suddenly become a city divided not by NASCAR fans wearing sleeveless shirts and effeminate Margaret Atwood latte sippers.

For any internationals out there, Robert Ford is the Mayor of Toronto. He is essentially a populist leader who was elected on the basis of cutting taxes, improving conditions for drivers (rather than mass transportation) and dramatically cutting spending and programs. He has cultivated an image of being the little-guy ready to go to bat with the slogan “Respect for Tax Payers”.

Bob Ford has not, however, had a great PR week:

• Rob Ford flips off mother and child while illegally speaking on a cellphone while driving
• His partner in crime (and brother), Doug Ford (who is described by some as the power behind the throne) trashed internationally acclaimed author Margaret Atwood after saying he would gladly close down libraries in his ward. (Good take on this at TorontoLife here)
• Apparently, during an all-night budget session on Friday, Mayor Ford said about a children’s author with a book called “Words that Start with B” – “I can think of another word for her”.

Part of this behaviour is symptomatic of the fact that Ford Nation does not seem to be an open club. You can’t join if you are a feminist, gay or if you’re not a tax-payer. You can’t join if you like reading novels that qualified for major international prizes. And sadly, if you’re not in, you’re the enemy. And if we’ve learned anything this week, Rob Ford does not treat his enemies with respect.

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Is an “Office of Religious Freedom” really a good idea?

Today Stephen Harper announced that his government would support an “Office of Religious Freedom” in DFAIT.

Perhaps the biggest foreign-policy promise is to track religious freedoms in other countries.
The Conservatives are promising to establish a $5-million office of religious freedom within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to monitor religious freedom around the world “as a key objective of Canadian foreign policy.”

I’ve mixed feelings about this. I believe that religious freedom is important as a fundamental human right. People should be allowed to express their faith (or non-faith). And supporting human rights is a good and traditional Canadian foreign policy,

However, I wonder if this is really a good idea or in Canada’s national interest?

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