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Federal Leaders to Debate Global Issues and Canada's Role in the World

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the federal election nears, three leading politicians - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau - are set to engage in a two-hour debate on foreign policy and Canada's role in the world. The event, presented by the Munk Debates, will take place at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. The debate is expected to cover a range of critical global issues, including Canada's military mission against Islamic State fighters, tensions with Russia over Ukraine, and the country's relationship with the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The debate is expected to focus on Canada's military mission against Islamic State fighters, with the NDP and Liberals calling for a withdrawal of troops and an end to the air campaign.
  • The Conservatives have been critical of the NDP and Liberals for not doing enough to welcome Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in their homelands.
  • All three parties have voiced concerns about Russia's actions in Ukraine, with the debate expected to focus on how best to curb President Vladimir Putin's ambitions in the region.
  • Relations with the United States have been strained under the Conservatives, with tensions over the Keystone XL pipeline and a new Windsor-area bridge.
  • The Conservatives made a strong defence of Israel a pillar of their approach to the Middle East, while the NDP and Liberals support a two-state solution.
  • The debate is also expected to cover issues such as climate change, as Canada prepares to negotiate a new international agreement to curb global warming.
  • The next government will face pressing issues, including climate change, trade deals with the European Union and Pacific-rim nations, and the country's commitment to international organizations such as the United Nations.

Statistics:

  • Canada's military trainers were deployed to Iraq in 2014, with CF-18 fighters following in 2014 to bomb Islamic State fighters.
  • The NDP would like to withdraw all troops from the region, while the Liberals would end the air campaign.
  • Canada has supplied non-lethal military gear to Ukraine, with troops dispatched as trainers in 2015.
  • Relations with the United States have been strained under the Conservatives, with tensions over the Keystone XL pipeline and a new Windsor-area bridge.
  • Canada's aid spending dropped to 0.24 per cent of GDP in 2014, down from 0.27 per cent the previous year, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Sources:

  • The Canadian Press
  • Harper, Stephen (2011) quoted in The Toronto Star
  • Trudeau, Justin (2015) quoted in The Toronto Star
  • Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2015) cited in The Toronto Star
  • The Munk Debates (2015) cited in The Toronto Star

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