Canada Doesn’t Need to Shout Louder |
I am grateful for the opportunity to share a few modest reflections on the volatile state of affairs as they relate to national security, here at home and abroad. Some days it feels as if the world is spinning off its axis.
How and when Canada steps up, assumes leadership roles and reaches its true potential in this moment will require enormous skill, effort and political will. Our national security apparatus will figure prominently in our ability to do so. As it has throughout our history, that means protecting our own interests while accepting our responsibility to contribute to the security of others.
I had the great privilege, and awesome responsibility, of serving as Minister of National Defence at a time when thousands of young Canadian men and women were deployed into a combat zone in Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11. I saw from that vantage point the breathtaking courage and commitment of our finest citizens: those who serve in uniform. Without recounting or relitigating the judgments surrounding the NATO-led, UN-sanctioned mission, I can say without hesitation that Canadian soldiers distinguished themselves and brought enormous honour to our nation in enormously difficult circumstances. Alongside our allies, we were viewed as equal to the very best.
The Canadian effort went beyond the military mission. Canadians helped support education, agriculture, health and development. More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan, and 158 members of the CAF gave their lives, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
I have never felt a greater sense of pride or purpose than when I visited soldiers, sailors, aviators and special forces where they lived, trained, deployed and served. These great Canadians, Canada’s sons and daughters, as General Rick Hillier called them, represent the very best of who we are.
So where do we find ourselves today? Given the blistering pace of geopolitical change and the relentless white noise of the news cycle, a person could be forgiven for wanting to unplug. Yet that is not an option in business, law, politics or national security.
The Canada–US Relationship
This week, the annual United Nations General Assembly is taking place in New York, bringing the international community together to address mounting tensions and conflicts. The United Nations is deeply imperfect and often frustrating. But there is still no other place where virtually the entire world can gather to talk, negotiate and search for solutions. Diplomatic breakthroughs are rare; persistence and resilience are essential. Canada remains a respected voice with a long history of attempting to bridge divides and contribute to international security.
Looking south, the relationship with the United States has entered a period of extraordinary tension. The rhetoric from President Trump and members of his administration has been deeply disruptive. More importantly, the tariffs and other trade measures have real consequences for businesses, workers and consumers on both sides of the border. Canada is responding by trying to protect our economy while diversifying our trade relationships. But we should be clear eyed about the scale of the challenge: we cannot simply replace the United States as our largest trading partner overnight, nor should we pretend that geography has suddenly stopped mattering. The Canada–US relationship remains enormously important to our prosperity and our security.
That relationship is also much deeper than trade. Canada was, in fact, born out of conflict. The War of 1812 touched Halifax and Nova Scotia directly; Halifax’s military history still carries reminders of that........