Advancing Canada’s Interests on the World Stage

April 22, 2008

This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is meeting with the Presidents of the United States of America and Mexico at the North American Leaders’ Summit in New Orleans.

While Canadians, Americans and Mexicans may not agree on every issue, there is nonetheless a long history of cooperation between the three countries that is rooted in our common commitment to democracy, free trade through NAFTA, and equal opportunity for all our citizens.

That is why the Prime Minister will look for new ways to work with our continental allies on travel, trade and security issues. At the same time, the Prime Minister will strongly defend Canadian interests and priorities while meeting with his American and Mexican counterparts.

Canadians are right to expect that their government will work with other countries whenever possible, but always stand up for Canadian sovereignty whenever necessary. They are also right to expect their leaders will back up their talk with real action.

It was not always this way. Under the previous Liberal government, Canada lost credibility as big talk replaced action and Canada became easy to ignore.

The Liberals were quick to sign international treaties but failed to deliver on their commitments. While serving as Environment Minister, Stéphane Dion did such a poor job keeping his international obligations, he has been criticized by his own deputy leader, who scolded him by saying, “Stéphane, we didn’t get it done.”

Liberal governments also allowed the Canadian Forces to wither due to chronic underfunding. The Liberal record is so poor that senior members of the Canadian Forces have described their period of rule as a “Decade of Darkness”.

Today, the Liberal era of weak leadership and inaction has been replaced by the Conservative Government’s strong leadership and real results.

Prime Minister Harper has rallied the resolve of our NATO allies to make a new commitment to the people of Afghanistan in the form of more troops and additional equipment. The Conservative Government has replaced the Liberals’ empty talk on the environment with Canada’s first ever mandatory targets for greenhouse gas reductions. And Canada is expected to remain a world economic leader with the strongest economic fundamentals of the entire G7.

When it comes to world leadership, Canadians face a clear choice. Stéphane Dion and the Liberals remain directionless, with no policy, no plans, and no new solutions or ideas for our country. They are unable to lead at home and would also fail to lead abroad.

In contrast, thanks to strong leadership from Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government, Canada is back, Canada is once again a leader and more people around the world are paying attention to Canadian priorities than ever before.