Canada on the Global Stage
By Cynthia Lee
With a new government in place and an ongoing rush of new developments on the international stage, what is Canada鈥檚 place in the world?听Will our new leaders restore an earlier vision of Canadian foreign policy or develop a new one corresponding to a changed world? Canada on the Global Stage: Exploring Canada's Image and Role in the World will examine how Canada should position itself internationally, what our responsibilities are with respect to human rights, international development and migration. 听 The conference will bring together leading politicians, policy-makers, activists, journalists and more on February 11 and 12.
What:听听听听听听听听听听听 Canada on the Global Stage: Exploring Canada's Image and Role in the听World, a public conference
When: 听听听听听听听听听 February 11 & 12, 2016
Where:听听听听听听听听 Hotel Sofitel, 1155 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montr茅al, QC H3A 2N3
Full program: /misc/events/misc2016/2016-program-programme-2016
Speakers and topics include:
Development and Aid
Julia S谩nchez听- President-CEO, Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC)
鈥淚n order for Canada to reclaim its rightful role on the global stage, it needs to provide leadership on addressing global challenges that transcend national borders. This means that in addition to changing its tone on international issues, it needs to put more resources on the table to听champion causes such as ending inequality, promoting听women's rights and protecting听the environment."
may be interviewed in English, French and Spanish
Canada鈥檚 Image, Brand and Reputation
Melissa Aronczyk - Rutgers University, author of Branding the Nation
鈥淥ngoing support for journalists and writers, and a strong media system, are indispensable for promoting all the things that make Canada so admired in the world."
may be interviewed in English and French
Colin Robertson - Senior Strategic Advisor, Dentons Canada LLP:
鈥淭o claim a role Canada needs a clear international strategy with defined objectives and deliverables. To implement this policy we need a reinvigorated Foreign Service and ambassadors who can speak without having to first seek permission. Our commitment to collective security and deterrence means that we need an Armed Forces that is muscular and ready."
may be interviewed in English and French
H茅l猫ne Laverdi猫re 鈥� NDP Member of Parliament (Laurier鈥擲ainte-Marie), Foreign Affairs Critic:
鈥淐anada has a strong role to play in international efforts to build long-term peace and security and to end global poverty, inequality, and injustice. When the world goes well, Canada goes well. But we have much to do to regain our place as a key player and an honest broker and rebuild our global relationships.鈥�
may be interviewed in English and French
Human Rights and Global Migrations
Laurin Liu - NDP Member of Parliament (Rivi猫re-des-Mille-脦les) (2011-2015):
鈥淐anada needs a progressive foreign policy that champions human rights, women's equality and environmental stewardship around the world. Furthermore, Canada should immediately sign the UN Arms Trade Treaty and ensure absolute accountability and transparency regarding military exports.鈥�
may be interviewed in English and French
Jillian Stirk 鈥� Former Canadian Ambassador to Norway; Mentor, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation:
鈥淐anada has an opportunity to rethink its place in the world. 听By investing in pluralism, innovation, and sustainability at home, Canada can provide a new kind of leadership on these issues abroad.鈥澨�
may be interviewed in English
Stephen Toope - Director, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto:
鈥�Canada has no 鈥渞ightful role鈥� on the world stage. 听It has to earn any position of influence through the consistent advancement of well thought out policy. 听It also has to work closely with partners, not all of whom are the usual suspects. 听Canada has to decide, on specific issues, who its 鈥榝riends鈥� are. 听In particular, we should be working far more closely with other 鈥榤iddling鈥� powers, like Korea and Mexico. 听That said, we also have to re-calibrate our relationship with the United States. 听This may prove very difficult depending upon what happens in the upcoming US election."
may be interviewed in English
Participants include:
Ken Frankel, president of the Canadian Council for the Americas
Main topics: Multilateralism, Organization of American States, public policy in the Americas.
may be interviewed in English
Kyle Matthews, Senior Deputy Director, Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, Concordia University; Fellow, Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute.
Main topics: human rights, international security, the Responsibility to Protect, global threats, and social media and technology
may be interviewed in English and French
Michelle Shephard, investigative reporter at the Toronto Star
Main topics: national security, Guantanamo Bay, Omar Khadr, terrorism, civil liberties
may be interviewed in English
The Honourable Tony Clement, Conservative Party Member of Parliament (Parry Sound鈥夆�斺�塎uskoka); Foreign Affairs Critic
Main topics: Conservative view on Canadian foreign policy.
may be interviewed in English and French
The Honourable Kathleen Weil, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, of the Qu茅bec National Assembly, will be the Ministerial Keynote Speaker on Friday, February 12, at 4:15pm
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McGill Institute for the Study of Canada
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