Harper Government Fails To Win U.N. Security Council Seat For Canada

OTTAWA -- For the first time in six decades, the member nations of the world community did not support Canada's bid to be on the United Nations Security Council.  Once a decade since the 1940s, Canada has joined the permanent members of  U.N. Security Council for a two-year term.

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper likes to claim he has brought Canada 'back' on the world stage.  This was a reality test of his self-serving rhetoric.  The truth is Canada's reputation in the world has suffered," said Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada.  "I have attended international gatherings and negotiations for decades but since 2006, people from around the world ask, 'what has happened to Canada?'   They ask in tones of concern and sadness.  It is as though an old friend has died."

Canada is now the only nation of the 165+ nations that ratified Kyoto to have repudiated our legally binding obligations.  In September 2009, in the all-important discussions on climate at the UN General Assembly in the lead-up to Copenhagen, it was not unnoticed that our Prime Minister was in New York and left before the speeches to attend a photo op at a Tim Horton's.

"Around the world, it is noticed that we have twice in the last three years refused to send three peace-keepers to assist in the Congo Republic. In fact, having invented peace-keeping, Canada is now one of the very least-engaged countries in the world.   It has not gone unnoticed that we are the only country to leave a child soldier who is a citizen of Canada at Guantanamo Bay,” noted Ellen Michelson, Green Party Critic for Peace and Security.

"Despite previous leadership in help for Africa, this government has cut back development assistance: fewer countries in Africa see the Canadian flag in relief supplies,” Elizabeth May continued. “The Harper government's unquestioning support of Israel has included remaining silent about the 2006 targeting of a UN observer post on the Lebanon border, bombed by the Israeli forces.  Our silence was even more astonishing, given that a Canadian working for the UN, Maj. Paeta Hess-von Kruedener, was killed.   We have abandoned our traditional role as a firm supporter of the state of Israel, but capable of fair criticism of Israeli policies.”

"We have lost our place as a peace-keeper.  We have lost our place as a climate leader.  We have lost our role as a respected part of the United Nations community.  Far from reclaiming Canada's place on the world stage, as Mr. Harper likes to claim, we have become increasingly irrelevant in the world  -- tied with only Saudi Arabia in our defence of carbon, unable to form any plan or policy to advance peace in the Middle East, predictable for taking whatever stance George W. Bush would take were he still in power,” May added.

"No doubt, Mr. Harper will attempt to blame the Leader of the Official Opposition for saying Canada, under this government’s policies, did not deserve the seat.  Canadians should not be distracted by such foolishness.  World governments are not influenced by domestic politics,” said Eric Walton, Green Party Critic for International Affairs. “They have experienced four and a half years of this Prime Minister's contempt for the United Nations and failed policies on key global issues.  The member states of the United Nations have made clear what Canadians need to know.  This government policies are making Canada's role and reputation much much smaller in the world."

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Debra Eindiguer
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C: 613.240.8921
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