Universality and the United Nations...a Canadian Time Bomb

Where is Canada? asks Green Party Leader Elizabeth May as World Leaders Meet

(NANAIMO) -  As the private debate on foreign policy takes place tonight, the UN Sustainable Development Summit will wrap up, with Canada absent once again. New York this weekend has been abuzz with talk of global goals. The Pope, celebrities, Bill and Melinda Gates, President Obama and more than 160 heads of State and government have drawn attention to an ambitious agenda to "save the world." This weekend marks the first time global leaders of every persuasion have agreed "to leave no one behind.” Starting today, all countries will be required to report not just on how they are addressing issues like poverty and climate change in the developing world, but also in their home country.

"This is a ticking time bomb for Harper," said Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada (Saanich—Gulf Islands). "Canada must address the universality clause and come to terms with poverty and inequality among First Nations and deal with issues like domestic efforts toward sustainable energy or inequality. He has fought this clause tooth and nail but now there is nothing he can do. The world got ahead of him." 

Canada has remained low key at the United Nations this weekend. Harper has snubbed the United Nations for two years in a row, so not showing up for what Ban Ki Moon has described as nothing short of a historical unprecedented meeting of global leaders, is not news. Living with the Universal clause will be.

"We have never been so globally insignificant. This country was once proud to be at the United Nations", stated May, "Harper has managed to backpedal so fast on every issue from climate change to poverty reduction that it is no wonder he won't show up. He is too embarrassed and frankly so are many Canadians." 

Whether it is the Syrian refugee crisis, voting against Indigenous Rights, attempting to block Universality in the current document, or just not showing up for meetings, Harper's message to the international community has been consistent. Canada is no longer a global citizen and does not want to be.

But today marks a new era. Canada will need to address performance issues beyond its poor record on poverty reduction both abroad and at home. The world will be watching. We can no longer hide. Countries like the United Kingdom are celebrating achieving international targets on poverty reduction while Canadian performance is at an all time low. The Green Party has consistently insisted that Canada can do better. The world is now our stage and everyone from celebrities to religious leaders to heads of state will be watching. 

Ninety four percent of Canadians support Canada's role when it comes to international cooperation and helping the poor through education. Most agree addressing climate change is a priority. The entire world has now come to consensus that issues like these will define our global agenda for the next fifteen years. The Green Party is celebrating with the rest of the world today, despite Harper ignoring the Global Goals. 

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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca

Or

Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications 
t: 613.562.4916 (200) 
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca