Now We're Really Talking!

Today two things are in the news that I love to talk about: Canadian defense policy and Canada/US relations. With that said, I will now talk about them.
Stephen Harper has unveiled the first portion of his party's policy for the Canadian Forces. Promising $5.3B more than the Liberals' highly back-loaded pledges of this past Parliament, the Tory program includes reconstituting the Canadian Airborne Regiment, doubling the capacity of the DART, airlift capacity, and quite possibly some flagships (aircraft carriers, mayhaps?) should they still have enough funding and need available. I like it. A lot. I have long been greatly concerned about the underfunding of our military in recent years, and given that I've got a good friend who is now in the Navy, I feel that anything that provides more substantive funding and programmes for our CF is a benefit to our great country. It will enhance Canadian sovereignty and reduce the international perception that Canada is a state that will make much noise but provide little action. Assuming that the Conservatives are elected and the plan is implemented, no longer will Canada need to rent airlift capacity from Ukraine or the United States, we will be more effective in providing assistance to disaster-stricken states and regions, and our military will once again have a highly-effective Airborne division for combat operations. These are all great ideas in an election that is going to be decided based upon attitudes and perceptions what ideas constitute the best interests for Canadians. For those of us who are interested in defense matters, this is a winning strategy that will enhance the ability for Canada to deliver upon the Defense pillar of this past year's International Policy Statement.
Turning to Canada-US relations, the Bush administration has made its formal rebuke of Paul Martin's recent blatant appeal to anti-American sentiment by telling the United States that it needs a conscience when it comes to the environment. I have been told that the primary responsibility of the US Consulate here in Halifax (and I'm sure others as well) during this election is to monitor anti-Americanism during the campaign. Ambassador Wilkins today made the same point that many in this country have regarding the comparative greenhouse emissions statuses of our two countries. He was sure to remain diplomatic in his language, not singling out Paul Martin and stating that the Canada-US relationship is deep and wide, strong in many aspects, and not appearing partisan at all. He is merely the messenger of the Bush administration, and he quite legitimately conveyed their displeasure with an obvious affront made last week in Montreal.
As I have already said, I believe that the country who signs on to an international treaty and voluntarily defects from its terms has less moral authority than the one that does not sign the treaty in the first place. Further, Martin's photo-op with former President Clinton started this chain of events. It is thoroughly illogical to expect that Washington would remain mum on this subject simply because there is an election campaign taking place in Canada. Relations between Ottawa and Washington exist prior, during, and after elections, and we have no right to demand that the United States not defend itself against foreign accusations, particularly ones with little to no merit.
The subject of ballistic missile defense also made an appearance on the radar today. Harper indicated that if the Americans presented a scenario that precluded the weaponization of space (a subject I just covered in a term paper for my IR class) and connected to Canada's interests, he would consider re-opening that discussion. He also promised a legitimate debate in Parliament and consultation with the other leaders. I've heard that before, and so has Washington. When George Bush made his desire known publicly last November in Halifax that he wanted Canada to participate in BMD, he did so because he believed that Canada would ultimately do just that. The public embarrassment suffered once (and subsequent chill in relations) will likely not be made again, no matter how friendly to the US the Washington Times believes Harper to be. I give Harper full credit for making such a bold statement, and I can only hope that he does not repeat the same fatal error that forever altered my perception of Paul Martin.