Prestige is a form of currency in diplomatic circles, and few prizes are as coveted as a seat on the United Nations’ Security Council.
Yes, it’s fashionable to criticize the council’s decisions and effectiveness, but that doesn’t change the fact its 10 rotating seats – which exist alongside five permanent ones held by the United States, China, France, United Kingdom and Russia – are reserved for real players.
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose stated aim is to restore the country’s international standing, it makes sense to try and gain admittance for 2021.
The problem is there are only two seats up for grabs and the other two contenders, Norway and Ireland, are model international citizens. Mr. Trudeau has 11 months to campaign for a spot, while Canada’s rivals have been building their cases for years by setting solid examples.
For instance, the international foreign-aid target for industrialized countries is 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product. Norway comfortably exceeds it.
Contrast that with Canada, which the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) chided just last week for cutting its development-aid budgets. The OECD noted that Canada’s foreign aid, at 0.26 per cent of GDP, sits below the average contribution to its development committee (0.32 per cent).
Ireland, meanwhile, is the peacekeeping nation we fancy ourselves to be. Canada recently sent a contingent to Mali, but only after much hand-wringing and delay. The Irish are stationed in five countries and have double our blue-helmeted forces.
Critics also point out that there are costs associated with seeking a Security Council seat. Canada spent roughly $10-million on a failed bid eight years ago, in fact.
The expense is worth bearing, though, provided Canada’s effort goes beyond simply seeking the prestige of a seat. The council should be seen not as an end, but as a means toward crafting a bolder and more engaged Canadian foreign policy. Mr. Trudeau rightly seeks the honour of joining, but first he’ll need to put in the work.