Foreign Policy: Keeping the Peace
The Green Party believes in the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Since 1996, worldwide military expenditures have exploded 27 per cent reaching $932 billion annually. Most of this budget was spent by countries that represent only 16 per cent of the world population. In contrast, these same countries spent just $68 billion on international aid. This gross misallocation of funds underlines the widely held belief by governments that their nation will be secure through force rather through cooperation.
For the Green Party, a philosophy of international cooperation and peacekeeping leads to greater global security. We can seek new interdependent relationships with emerging countries by creating fair economic relationships and by promoting human rights and sustainability. In times of conflict or international emergencies, we can continue Canada's reputation as peacekeepers and add programs for ecological preservation to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Green Party MPs will work to:
- Declare Canada a military nuclear-free zone and abstain from participating in the development or usage of space-based weapons.
- Work to establish a standing international peacekeeping force under UN control.
- Create an International Affairs and Comprehensive Security Agency to coordinate activities between Foreign Affairs, National Defense and CIDA.
- Create a Rapid Response Force with a mandate for peacekeeping and environmental restoration in both international crisis situations and domestic catastrophes like floods, earthquakes, storms and fires and ensure that this Force has the training and the means to deliver its support.
- Deliver humanitarian aid and assistance effectively and efficiently.
- Provide security for international aid and development groups on the ground as well as assist international aid agencies and local authorities in implementing environmental protection and restoration measures.
- Propose a reform of the UN Security Council, eliminating vetoes and expanding membership.
- Support the provision of royalty-free and low-cost AIDS medicines for Africa, Asia and South America.
- Work with other nations to eliminate unsustainable fishing in international waters and create a system of marine sanctuaries. Press for custodial management of fish stocks on the Grand Banks.
- Increase foreign aid spending to 0.5 per cent of GDP by 2010, and meet Canada's commitment to spend at least 0.7 per cent by 2015.
- Work to increase the influence of the International Court of Justice.
- Advocate a viable and secure state for Palestine and a secure state for Israel.
- Actively engage with the Chinese government to advance a federal model "Middle Path" approach, to the Tibet issue.
- Initiate a review of Canada's current international security alliances.
- Promote and support the international missions of the United Nations.
- Erase debts with emerging countries that have been in default for over ten years.
