Posted at Americas Quarterly online on September 26, 2011
The middle of September is always a tumultuous time of year in New York City, where traffic comes to a standstill as heads of state arrive to promote their views at the United Nations General Assembly. This year, long-term issues and complex debates such as those concerning Palestine and Israel dominated the media coverage, leaving the impression that speeches—not results—emanate from UN deliberations.
The UN has its detractors. This was most evident during the buildup to the war in Iraq last decade. For many, there has also been a credibility gap. Who can forget that Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in Libya was actually elected to chair the UN Human Rights Council in 2003—and continued to hold a seat in the commission until quite recently? As a result, the UN is often portrayed as a forum for political posturing where national interests will always supersede the legitimate concerns of the wider international community.
In Canada, the view on the UN has also been complex. Canada was an original founder and has played an important role in numerous peacekeeping ventures. In 1957, former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, a strong advocate of Canadian involvement in UN stabilization missions, won a Nobel Peace Prize for his groundbreaking work on the Suez Canal Crisis.
In recent years, however, Canadians have been more critical and skeptical about the UN especially following the Rwanda Genocide. Canadian Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, who led the UN force in Rwanda, has since become an important voice in our country in informing us of the challenge and limitations of the international body.
Despite its flaws—some would say failings—is the UN still viable? True, the veto power of the permanent members of the Security Council can be a recipe for paralysis. Yet notwithstanding such systemic obstacles, the UN on many occasions has provided a worthwhile forum for dialogue, debate, peacekeeping efforts, mobilization against transgressors of the UN Charter, and initiatives to combat future emerging problems.
Among the numerous successful examples of leadership—many with Canadian involvement—the MINUSTAH initiative comes to mind immediately. MINUSTAH, an acronym for the French translation of the “UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti,” has helped provide much-needed security to Haiti following the devastating earthquake of 2010. Other successful UN initiatives include the UN Women agency, chaired by former Chilean President Michele Bachelet, as well as the endorsement of the UN Security Council for intervention in Libya. Overall, I submit that unsafe elements of our world have been pacified by the existence and presence of the UN.
The UN was originally an ambitious attempt to address the ineptitude of its failed predecessor, the League of Nations, which was limited by its inability to prevent a world war once an aggressor decided to ignore the international body. Today, the UN, with the continued backing of its founding nations as well as new, post-World War II emerging powerhouses, seems more necessary than ever. There will likely be a need for reform down the road in terms of the Security Council, but the UN still remains a necessary institution 66 years after its founding.
September 27, 2011
September 23, 2011
Québec’s International Reputation is Alive and Well
With the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York this week and the media hype surrounding the personalities of some leaders with the expected confrontations on a given issue, we sometimes forget to distinguish the many activities governments do internationally. As is frequently repeated in many democracies, elections are often won on domestic issues and the state of the local economy is surely a major factor in the mood of the electorate. So we tend to forget the importance of doing things internationally. However, being active on the global front is vital to a people’s long-term well-being and progress.
Take the case of Québec, an active federated state internationally. With a large land base and its modest size population, Québec has had to depend on exporting much of its local domestic product if it is to grow and prosper. This is why Québec has been, along with Alberta, the most pro-free trade province in the Canadian federation. Our support for the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. in 1988 and later, NAFTA including Mexico in 1993, was pivotal in the eventual ratification of these treaties in Canada.
Let us look further at Québec’s international role. Our renewable energy portfolio involving hydro, wind, solar and biomass, has not been just a factor for local consumption, but also for export purposes. The leadership shown on environmental issues such as GHG emissions was again highlighted by Premier Jean Charest at Climate Week in NYC where he spoke about our absolute commitment to maintain Québec as having North America’s lowest carbon footprint, and announce the Electric Vehicle Policy Initiative with the Climate Group. He made the statements in the presence of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Québec also plays an important role in border security and related intelligence issues with the U.S. security authorities. All together – the economy, energy, the environment, security – make Québec a vital player with its neighbors to the south. Our efforts are well appreciated and enhance our international reputation.
Cultural products and artists add to the international personality and reputation of Québec. Whether Yanik Nezet Séguin directs the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, or Robert Lepage directs The Ring at the Met, or Cirque du Soleil with its new production Zarkana plays the summer at Radio City, Québec considers the U.S. an attractive and a prestigious venue. And the audiences have responded accordingly.
Just recently, Premier Jean Charest announced his Plan Nord aimed at developing Québec’s North above the 49th parallel involving mining, energy, transport, biodiversity, wildlife, and tourism enterprises. With 50% of the territory, roughly half the size of Texas, being protected from industrial use, it ranks as possibly the largest sustainable project in the world. It will be highlighted in Washington DC next October at the 3rd annual CG/LA conference on world infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, the Premier has met leading economic and political actors in the U.S., China, Japan, and Europe to interest potential investors.
Plan Nord is also a project that sends a positive message regarding Québec’s relations with its aboriginal communities. Agreements have been signed, and others are being negotiated, with the Cree, the Innu, the Inuit and the Naskapi nations. Cree Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, once an opponent of large-scale projects in the North, has been an enthusiastic promoter of the Plan Nord.
The international reputation of Québec is hard earned, well deserved, and has evolved over time. The difference between domestic affairs and international affairs is just that – time. Domestic political debate is often short-term and influenced by the electoral cycle. That is to be expected. International affairs are a long-term proposition and here Québec, under successive governments and with its vibrant democracy, has shown its diligence, its resolve, and above all, asserted its leadership over the decades. Its reputation is alive and well as a result, and will continue.
Take the case of Québec, an active federated state internationally. With a large land base and its modest size population, Québec has had to depend on exporting much of its local domestic product if it is to grow and prosper. This is why Québec has been, along with Alberta, the most pro-free trade province in the Canadian federation. Our support for the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. in 1988 and later, NAFTA including Mexico in 1993, was pivotal in the eventual ratification of these treaties in Canada.
Let us look further at Québec’s international role. Our renewable energy portfolio involving hydro, wind, solar and biomass, has not been just a factor for local consumption, but also for export purposes. The leadership shown on environmental issues such as GHG emissions was again highlighted by Premier Jean Charest at Climate Week in NYC where he spoke about our absolute commitment to maintain Québec as having North America’s lowest carbon footprint, and announce the Electric Vehicle Policy Initiative with the Climate Group. He made the statements in the presence of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Québec also plays an important role in border security and related intelligence issues with the U.S. security authorities. All together – the economy, energy, the environment, security – make Québec a vital player with its neighbors to the south. Our efforts are well appreciated and enhance our international reputation.
Cultural products and artists add to the international personality and reputation of Québec. Whether Yanik Nezet Séguin directs the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, or Robert Lepage directs The Ring at the Met, or Cirque du Soleil with its new production Zarkana plays the summer at Radio City, Québec considers the U.S. an attractive and a prestigious venue. And the audiences have responded accordingly.
Just recently, Premier Jean Charest announced his Plan Nord aimed at developing Québec’s North above the 49th parallel involving mining, energy, transport, biodiversity, wildlife, and tourism enterprises. With 50% of the territory, roughly half the size of Texas, being protected from industrial use, it ranks as possibly the largest sustainable project in the world. It will be highlighted in Washington DC next October at the 3rd annual CG/LA conference on world infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, the Premier has met leading economic and political actors in the U.S., China, Japan, and Europe to interest potential investors.
Plan Nord is also a project that sends a positive message regarding Québec’s relations with its aboriginal communities. Agreements have been signed, and others are being negotiated, with the Cree, the Innu, the Inuit and the Naskapi nations. Cree Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, once an opponent of large-scale projects in the North, has been an enthusiastic promoter of the Plan Nord.
The international reputation of Québec is hard earned, well deserved, and has evolved over time. The difference between domestic affairs and international affairs is just that – time. Domestic political debate is often short-term and influenced by the electoral cycle. That is to be expected. International affairs are a long-term proposition and here Québec, under successive governments and with its vibrant democracy, has shown its diligence, its resolve, and above all, asserted its leadership over the decades. Its reputation is alive and well as a result, and will continue.
September 7, 2011
9/11 Remembered
Posted at Americas Quarterly on September 7, 2011
In the course of human history, few events come along that are so indelible that people remember where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt at one exact moment. For many of my contemporaries, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, in 1963 brings back vivid memories of the day when the United States’ Camelot came to an abrupt end. The tragedy of 9/11 is one such event.
The unspeakable terror of the events of September 11, 2001, will remain as the singular, horrific day that transformed the world and America in particular—and the way the world has evolved since that day. The politics surrounding 9/11 remain, and historians will surely debate its ramifications for decades to come: two wars that directly resulted from the attacks continue in their distinctive forms; the Patriot Act remains fundamentally in force; and Guantánamo Bay is still open.
The human tragedies woven around the 2001 attacks will be commemorated in the coming days. Nearly 3000 people lost their lives on 9/11 and it has been estimated that possibly over 10,000 lost a relative in the World Trade Center. Twenty-four Canadians also perished that day. Some remains have never been found, and for all who were involved in some capacity, the wounds have not healed. Last year’s controversy over a mosque and community center near Ground Zero is clear evidence that time is moving ever so slowly.
There will be many accounts and testimonials about 9/11 in the days ahead. The official commemorations will recall the bravery and courage of the survivors and the first responders. We will be solemn, we will shed tears, we will remember, and most of all, we must never forget.
As a Quebecer and as a Canadian, I can attest to the fact that our country felt the horror and the sadness of 9/11. It was not only an attack on the United States; it was an assault on humanity, decency and the preciousness of life. Innocent people that morning left their homes, families and friends to pursue their lives, duties and hopes. They all expected to be home later, chat with friends, have dinner with their loved ones, or tell a bedtime story to their children.
There are no boundaries to this tragedy. To some extent, we were all victims of 9/11, and our most immediate reaction was to help, comfort and pray when the moment occurred—and in the days that followed. It has been said that when air travel was suspended over the skies of the United States on that fateful day, Canada became a large landing strip from coast to coast.
Canadians across the land opened their hearts and, in some cases, their homes to welcome stranded U.S. travelers. Many in the hour of tragedy sought to find reason in such an irrational act. But there was no rational explanation, just pain, bewilderment, confusion, anger and emptiness. Yet despite it all, they survived and many will quietly remember on this tenth anniversary.
Living in New York has afforded me an opportunity to know New Yorkers and admire their strong will and resilience. In the days ahead, we will do well to be inspired by the courage and the solidarity of those affected by 9/11, how they have persevered and how they honor those they have lost.
The unspeakable terror of the events of September 11, 2001, will remain as the singular, horrific day that transformed the world and America in particular—and the way the world has evolved since that day. The politics surrounding 9/11 remain, and historians will surely debate its ramifications for decades to come: two wars that directly resulted from the attacks continue in their distinctive forms; the Patriot Act remains fundamentally in force; and Guantánamo Bay is still open.
The human tragedies woven around the 2001 attacks will be commemorated in the coming days. Nearly 3000 people lost their lives on 9/11 and it has been estimated that possibly over 10,000 lost a relative in the World Trade Center. Twenty-four Canadians also perished that day. Some remains have never been found, and for all who were involved in some capacity, the wounds have not healed. Last year’s controversy over a mosque and community center near Ground Zero is clear evidence that time is moving ever so slowly.
There will be many accounts and testimonials about 9/11 in the days ahead. The official commemorations will recall the bravery and courage of the survivors and the first responders. We will be solemn, we will shed tears, we will remember, and most of all, we must never forget.
As a Quebecer and as a Canadian, I can attest to the fact that our country felt the horror and the sadness of 9/11. It was not only an attack on the United States; it was an assault on humanity, decency and the preciousness of life. Innocent people that morning left their homes, families and friends to pursue their lives, duties and hopes. They all expected to be home later, chat with friends, have dinner with their loved ones, or tell a bedtime story to their children.
There are no boundaries to this tragedy. To some extent, we were all victims of 9/11, and our most immediate reaction was to help, comfort and pray when the moment occurred—and in the days that followed. It has been said that when air travel was suspended over the skies of the United States on that fateful day, Canada became a large landing strip from coast to coast.
Canadians across the land opened their hearts and, in some cases, their homes to welcome stranded U.S. travelers. Many in the hour of tragedy sought to find reason in such an irrational act. But there was no rational explanation, just pain, bewilderment, confusion, anger and emptiness. Yet despite it all, they survived and many will quietly remember on this tenth anniversary.
Living in New York has afforded me an opportunity to know New Yorkers and admire their strong will and resilience. In the days ahead, we will do well to be inspired by the courage and the solidarity of those affected by 9/11, how they have persevered and how they honor those they have lost.
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