Over $2.3 million was the cost of Trudeau’s failed attempt to get Canada a seat on the UN Security Council. In the age of the pandemic with the billions of government dollars swirling around for different programs, $2.3 million may seem like a drop in the ocean. But it isn’t. For the middle class, so beloved by our Prime Minister, it could buy you a reasonable home in Toronto or Vancouver. But we socialists have different priorities.
It could also buy 533 hospital beds. Or 107 basketball courts. Or pay to hire 92 personal support workers for a year. I’m sure posing it that way isn’t going to sway Mr. Trudeau. After all, he wants to see Canada back on the world stage. The wining and dining of foreign diplomats, taking them to see Celine Dion in Vegas (to his credit, at least it was a Canadian diva and not some has-been from south of the border) was probably seen as getting a good bang for your buck.
In a statement, Trudeau said that throughout the campaign, federal officials “promoted the Canadian values of peace, freedom, democracy and human rights.” No doubt he was thinking of the glorious role played by Canada in trying to overthrow the democratically-elected President of Venezuela.
“We listened and learned from other countries, which opened new doors for cooperation to address global challenges, and we created new partnerships that increased Canada’s place in the world.” And here he must have been thinking of his sweet partnership with the regime in Saudi Arabia with which Canada has a $14 billion contract to supply light armoured vehicles. Trudeau acknowledges that Saudi Arabia has a “troubling” human rights record but, let’s face it, $14 billion isn’t mere pocket change. The sales tax from that deal might help keep Bombardier afloat.
“This important engagement has contributed to our broader efforts to tackle the most important challenges of our time, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and has acted as a foundation for further international cooperation on other key issues.” The other important challenge of our time, climate change, doesn’t get a mention but we know that Trudeau is working on that. And remember, getting the pipelines built and keeping the tar sands going is our first priority. After all, it’s about providing good, middle-class jobs – or so we’ve been told.
Foreign Minister Champagne didn’t let Canada’s defeat at the UN upset him too much. “Due to that campaign, Canada is more present right around the world. Canada will play a leadership role in promoting global cooperation and advancing gender equality and sustainable peace.” Again, there’s no mention of climate change but you could also say that there’s no mention of good will to all men.
