Did the U.S. snub Canada at the UN vote?

There was a surprising development in the story of Canada's failure to gain a seat on the UN Security Council. At first the Conservatives blamed Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, but some reports suggest Canada's closest neighbour may have presented a problem.

CTV News Channel: Chris Sands, Hudson Institute

An expert on Canada-U.S. relations says the U.S. did not snub Canada and offered general support to all countries. He says Canada's case for the seat was based on past performance and their sense of entitlement is what put the UN off.

Power Play: Richard Grenell, former spokesman

The former U.S. spokesman at the UN says it is very problematic for America to not have a U.S. ambassador to the UN that's willing to campaign for Canada. He says Canada has been instrumental in advocating for UN reform and he says it is offensive that the Obama administration did not get involved in Canada's bid.

Power Play: Paul Frazer, former ambassador

The former Canadian ambassador says it's time for the government to move on and continue doing what they would be doing if there hadn't been a UN Security Council election. He says it is likely the U.S. did support Canada but they don't publicly campaign their support.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Oct. 14 2010 10:12 PM ET

Washington is staying tightlipped about the UN Security Council vote earlier this week, following a report that American diplomats were told to refrain from lobbying on Canada's behalf as it sought a seat on the powerful decision-making body.

"For that particular seat there was a contested election. We were present, we voted, and beyond that I'm not going to comment," U.S. State Department spokesperson Philip Crowley said on Thursday.

"Our votes are secret," he said. "I'm sure it was a hard-fought contest."

A former spokesperson at the UN claims that U.S. ambassador Susan Rice instructed American diplomats "not to get involved" with Canada's campaign for a seat on the Security Council.

"It's very problematic for an American tax payer -- collectively we give over $1 billion to the UN -- to not have a U.S. ambassador to the UN that's willing to campaign for Canada to get on the Security Council" because Ottawa pushes issues at the UN that Washington often agrees with, said Richard Grenell, who is also a Republican-connected commentator on Fox News.

"I find it offensive that the Obama administration chose not only not to get involved with the Canadians, but to instruct all of the diplomats around the world to not get involved in helping the Canadians," he added, citing sources with the U.S. mission to the UN and the State Department.

Canada withdrew from the running to win one of the non-permanent Security Council seats after it became clear Portugal was going to take the seat on Tuesday.

It was the first time in history Canada failed to win a Security Council seat.

But American officials have said the U.S. did vote for Canada and that Washington never lobbies for countries running in Security Council elections, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported.

Under former president George W. Bush, however, Washington campaigned hard in 2006 for Guatemala to land a seat on the Security Council over Venezuela.

Still, in the lead-up to the vote this week, Ottawa said it had secured 135 written commitments of support from UN members and another 15 verbal commitments, meaning the U.S. would not have known Canada's bid was bound for defeat, Fife reported.

In addition to Grenell's claim that Canada lacked U.S. support for its bid, an official with the United Arab Emirates told The Associated Press that the wealthy Gulf country actively lobbied against Canada.

The UAE has been fighting back hard in a dispute with Ottawa over commercial landing rights for its airlines in Canada.

As a result, Ottawa has been forced to give up its formerly secret military base in the region.

Tory reaction

The Conservative government responded to the embarrassing end to its bid for a temporary Security Council seat by blaming remarks made by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

"This is a government that for four years has basically ignored the United Nations and now is suddenly showing up saying, ‘Hey, put us on the council,'" Ignatieff had said in September.

After the vote this week, Ignatieff called the Tories' allegations "ridiculous."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper shifted gears on Thursday, blaming the secret voting process for his government's failed UN campaign.

Experts have offered a range of explanations for the disappointing outcome, with many citing the Tories' foreign policy.

Paul Heinbecker, a foreign policy analyst and former Canadian ambassador to the UN, told CTV News Tuesday that Canada likely lost the UN seat because of: its slow response to climate change, a shift in aid away from Africa and unwavering support of Israel.

Christopher Sands, an expert on U.S.-Canada relations at the Hudson Institute in Washington, said the campaign was based too much on Canada's past performance and not enough on new ideas for the future.

"What the UN often looks for is a bit more of a positive case -- what it is that you want to be on the Security Council to do moving forward, so perhaps reforming peacekeeping or working really hard on the issue of Darfur, or Afghanistan," he told CTV News Channel.

"That was really lacking from Canada's bid this year. It was much more of a ‘we've earned it,' rather than a ‘here's what we'll do if elected,'" he added.

"I think that was a bit of a weakness."

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Ian
said

Canada needs to find their identity.What happened to Peacekeeping, and foreign aid, and looking to share what we have with those who don't.The red maple leaf used to stand for something positive in the world. Will it again some day?

Jeremy
said

I have just about had it with these guys. If this is all over some routes into Pierson airport, than that is pretty sad that they are willing to ruin our bid for the Security Council for something minor and silly as this.This is one of the few cases where having Stephen Harper is a benefit, the guy doesn't take any crap from his citizen's, hopefully he will show the same resolve with an opposing country.

Matt
said

The UN is a joke anyway.

Fun City, SK
said

Wait what? The UAE? But the connies were SO sure it was Ignatieff's fault!?!?

Mike R.
said

"the guy doesn't take any crap from his citizen's"Indeed. Think about that, first and foremost.

Rodger in Calgary
said

Wow. No soup for you. Does the UAE think that more people from the Emirates would rather be in Canada or more Canadians be in the UAE? Shut down the border for a little while and see what happens. Interesting little experiment to test our resolve.

Stuart in Cold Lake
said

Pull all of our resources from UAE and deny them air routes on or near our great country! As well as ask their diplomats to leave our country! Obviously they don't want to work this out and will do whatever it takes to bully us into giving them airline routes! Without swift action from Ottawa they will believe they can whatever they want to us!

Doug from Whitehorse
said

I can't wait until Lawrence Cannon and Peter Kent explain they were acting on direct orders from Michael Ignatieff.

Broomfieldracing
said

So now we find out it was the lobbying efforts of the AEU and not Iggy that scuttled the bid. I think the Cons should make an public apology for what they accused Iggy of doing but we know Harper and his gang will never admit they made a mistake and take the blame for their own doings. They never have and never will, it's always someone else's fault with them

What do they offer us ? A:nothing
said

Hey UAE your running out of oil watch your lip! you have nothing we need or want.I'am so sad oh what will we do. This just shows us that the UN is a joke and is all about money and power

DP
said

Well,Jeremy, it's not UAE who ruined our bid - it's our government. They failed to persuade one of our private companies (Air Canada) not to oppose this "silly little thing" - and now we're paying the price. You've got to choose what you really want: to be an international player, or a few hundred thousand dollars extra for AC execs. I guess, current Canadian government clearly showed their preferences.

Time to stand-up
said

So, does this mean Igantieff is a secret citizen of the UAE? I thought it was all his fault for us losing the security council bid!! Joking aside, maybe it's time we revoke the UAE's airline's permits to fly into Canada. Ask them what sounds better, 6 flights per week or 0!!

Redfern
said

So the UAE admits to trying to bully our country over some stupid airline routes. Fine. Then they can have Camp Mirage and Portugal can have the UN seat. We will go elsewhere. I hope the UN remembers this. Canada will not be bullied!

Michael from Toronto
said

The Arabs needn't have bothered.Unlike the heavy state-censorship in the UAE, here in Canada we have no shortage of "patriots" who can and would gladly "rub the nose" of our country on the floors of the UN just to spite our own face. Just ask Messrs. Ignatief and Heinbecker.

Jeff H
said

This is all Stephen Harper's fault.He's running roughshod over all of us, and now its spreading across the world.Mark my words... this man is ruining our Country's reputation. He needs to be replaced!!!

Raj
said

If they cant have it their way, they will find another way to disrupt Canada( stick it to us) .They are already miffed that we have oil, so be it I LOL when I read that some of this, was decided on climate change.The US, China and India are the biggest foulest polluters! and they are sitting pretty.Foreign aid,we send enough to other countries.Let them try and get money out of Portugal! and as I watched Taber with a NDP'er yesterday, he should know that Germany is safely ensconced with the EU! thats why they got it.

Don
said

So much for blaming this on the Liberals! I wonder if the fact that no one was in the room when Harper made his sale pitch speech was a sign of this obvious outcome? The key players were all toasting champagne with Obama while Harper made a speech to an empty room. The Canadian media got to see it and shared with us but that's it. Unfortunately for Harper he can't manipulate people on the world stage as he does in our country. We need a new PM! Mackay, Prentice, anyone who can stop dividing this country!

Ken - Ont
said

Let me see if I understand this. We lost our chance at the Security Council seat and we lost our supply base in UAE ust so we could protect Air Canada?

techie32
said

Simple explanation, The UAE is prejudiced against Canadians. Why else would the lobby agaisnt us over some lost air travel rights. jsut doesnt make any sense. I bet you the UAE is harboring Osama bin Laden and other Terrorist cells. It seems that the UAE has thrown the first punch, Now how we retliate is a whole different story. I say we deny the UAE any entry at all into our Country and see how they deal with that

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

The new reformed conservatives screwed it up themselves, and still they blame Ignatieff.

T-Rex
said

This is a big chess game; one moves then the other. Our next move should be to deport UAE illegal immigrants that are presently awaiting immigration hearings, follow that up with deporting all their diplomats. And then follow that up with cancelling of their existing commercial airline routes into Canada. Checkmate!!

Kim
said

Harper has been working very hard at destroying Canada's reputation on the world stage. I hope countries don't start an anti-buy Canada.

Will
said

Harper did not own a passport before becoming PM. Was he really serious in his hopes to get a seat at the big table? His foreign policy is just not up to the standards set by previous Conservative and Liberal governments.

Henry
said

If Canada wasn't protecting Air Canada (whose service is getting worse day by day and the planes are horrible) we would have millions of extra dollars coming into Canada by letting Emirates fly to Vancouver and Calgary! Not to mention thousands of extra jobs! If you have ever flown Emirates you will see how a real airline operates what the meaning of service is. Everyone is treated like a king! The government in this country is a joke! Maybe there is some under the table business going on with Air Canada????

UAE Sucks
said

UAE are they even a real country? Who cares what they think. Lets shut down the border to them completely. How about we ban all flight from the UAE all together. Arrogant losers!

Steve, Alberta
said

So it wasnt ignatieff afterall. Wonder how the Cons will spin this one.

nwskeptic
said

This is the fundamental problem with the UN - This process is run like a democracy, Countries who don't spend a penny in aid, or provide people to help get the same vote. The UN is fundamentally flawed. I don't t see it going away or Canada leaving, it brings in too much money to corrupt people. The UN does some good, but that good could be achieved through other ways. Sadly, 30 years from now it will be the same arguments against the UN but it isn't going anywhere

Will
said

This is all about economics: 1. the airline routes and 2. Oil & other resources. The UAE has for some years taken a policy of economic bullying towards other countries and Canada is now firmly in their sights as we will not give in to them and change our national trade policies (admitted to by their representative!). This is not a Harper/Conservative issue. This is a trade dispute where the UAE has chosen to use political means to attempt to influence our economy and trade. They tried to crush RIM (Blackberry) and failed, they will fail here as well. Well done to the government for not caving to them. We can easily weather their nonsense. Also, Canadians have long memories for those who "do us wrong"; we are quick to forgive former enemies but remember treachery.

Manny
said

The "United Nations" is a colossal joke! It is corrupt and serves nothing other than to fill the pockets of scum of the earth who don't care about bettering the planet.

Ian
said

The UAE signed an agreement with NATO and Canada specifically, to allow Canada to operate a base in their territory. They said they were doing this in the fight against terrorism. If they were good to their word, they would have worked things out over airline routes before cancelling their "contract" with Canada and the rest of the world that is losing lives beause of terrorism. They don't give a rat's butt about combating terrorism and it's obvious. They don't care about human rights either. They just care about the almighty dollar. So before we so quickly jump to condemn our government over this, have an open mind and put your partisan views aside. We are so quick to criticize Harper for jobs and companies being lost to foreign countries but won't applaud him trying to protect our small domestic airline industry which we taxpayers have been subsidizing for years. We want to see this as Harper being a bully, yet we would probably say, "bravo" if the Liberals did the same thing. You're all a bunch of hypocrites!

the other Ian
said

To Ian: Look at the statistics on how much foreign aid we give every year. Look at the statistics on how many refugees we take in every year. We do more than our fair share. Let's stop being the world's doormat for a change. It had everything to do with politics and nothing to do with fairness that we didn't get the security council seat. Why is france, of all places, a permanent member of the security council? Portugal got the votes because they sided with the Arab countries on the issue of Arab Israeli talks. They took the stance that israel should just do what the Arabs wanted. Canada took a stand that they had to keep negotiating and that cost us the Arab votes. Our PM took a stand and refused to withdraw its support for Israel and water down our foreign policy. The UAE for some reason is not being criticized by the left leaning citizens of Canada which tells me that they need to look deep inside and ask themselves if the are Canadian or not. The UAE broke a contract with the West all for the sake of money. They do everything for the sake of money. They have wonderful mega real estate projects that are built on the backs of foreign construction workers from India who are paid slave wages and live in shanty towns. But the media turns a blind eye to all this and comes down hard on Harper for having some stones.

patriot ex-pat
said

The sooner we get the influence of these wing nuts out from our affairs the better. Their spiteful and childish retaliations, coupled with their whining and totally unpatriotic Liberal cronies here have far too much influence on what is happening in our country. And for those who believe that the Maple Leaf had any higher standing than it does today you have to go back to when the country flew the Ensign. Our country has made more contribution to world security over the last few years (and continues to do so today) than it has done since Korea and WW2. If you don't like that idea - as expressed by Rick Hillier - then go find an Arab country to isolate yourself in.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

It is said that our brothers and sisters of the North have a thousand way of saying snow, now we know the new reformed conservatives have a thousand ways of saying " sour grapes ".

DC
said

I love how many Canadians are saying that our great country should knuckle under. Last time I checked, Air Canada is a CANADIAN company, yes it is a publicly traded company and nolonger a crown, but it is CANADIAN and employs CANADIANS. How many Canucks work for the UAE airlines? Further, Ignatief DID make the comments, and I have family in other countries who heard it. Do you think a diplomat is going to admit to hearing political in-fighting in Canada? Not very diplomatic. UAE did lobby against us. Quite often there is more than a single reason for an outcome, and this is a case of that, there are a multitude of reasons. Time to close our borders to UAE, pull our embassy staff back to Canada and kick theirs out. We need ot show the world that we will not knuckle under, and we will react when they try to bully us. Plain and simple, testicular fortitude is what Canada needs.

Mark
said

Ah yes, the much vaunted UN, stalwart defenders of freedom, human rights and the rule of law....just don't ask about the Sudan, Darfur, North Korea, China, Iran, Iraq, Boznia/Herzegovinia, the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot..My heart bleeds that we're not a warm and fuzzy member of the club that voted Libya chair of their human rights commission and sanctioned events like the rabidly anti-Israeli Durban I and II.Thanks but no thanks-to attitudes like Ignatieff's. I'd much rather have a PM like Harper who stands for something.

Paul, MTL
said

Cannon has been an utter failure as Foreign Affairs Minister. Imagine being jerked around by some phony Sand Monarchy.

Danny Dinosaur
said

How did discussions over air routes turn into an international turf war? A very expensive and embarrassing international turf war. Maybe the same way we have escalating turf wars within our own borders. Maybe the same way as we have federal politicians making slanderous comments about regions of the country. Maybe the same way we can create trading enemies all over the world. MAYBE we have a government that is not able to manage these things and does not have the ability to reach consensus with anyone on anything? We are seeing a growing list of things which all point to an inability to manage anything except for Con spin masters.

The Other Lowell in BC
said

So, how bout we cancel all of UAE's remaining flights into Canada, send their diplomats packing and figure out other ways to screw the country. Who needs them. This is one thing the government did right. Protecting AC and Canadian jobs by disallowing extra UAE flights. They act like spoiled children tearing up the Mirage agreement, originally set up to combat terroism. What a bunch of hypocrites. Who needs them.

Bill from Winnipeg
said

And that folks is how a strong country acts. These are the beginnings of a shift in world power and Canada will end op on the right side of this once the shift is complete. The old socialist Eupopean blocs are crumbling under their unsustainable programs, the middle east continues to war with each other while countries such a china and India - true superpowers just keep on growing in size and power. The old UN clap trap, and the days of barganing with the devil for a place at the table are over for us. Truly strong nations don't beg for scraps, the dictate terms, We have Oil, we have natural resources, one of the strongest economies on the planet, and a strong democratic government, we don't need to make deals with anyone who threatens us. The UAe is just a sandbok with oil, but guess what UAE, we have our own oil and just as big an exporting market as you. Maybe you shouldn't wake a sleeping giant..............

Jojo
said

UAE? they have been a bully for sometime anyways. The UN security council can't do it by themselves, they dont have the capabilities as Canada . Let us just wait and I am positive they will come knocking at our door if they need someone to be recued at the deepest of the deep underground. :) what will exactly portugal do?

steve in wildrose country
said

The UN is a joke. To all those who want to appeal to the UN about this and that instead of our own government and resorces here...who are you appealing to? The UAE? comunist China? The EU?Africa?

briansaunders
said

We have combat tested troops now!! Invade the UAE!!

Anne
said

I just wish we could find alternatives to oil so that we could thumb our collective noses at the UAE et al over there. If indeed the UAE was able to sway votes, then the UN and its membership are irrelevant and should be either dissolved or ignored.

Carl
said

I'm glad the Conservative government didn't give in to the blackmail attempt by the UAE, even if it caused Arab countries to vote against our bid for a Security Council seat. It appears that the UN has been hijacked by intolerant, violent radicals (ie. the Arab world). In fact, as long as Israel remains the only country in the world that is not eligible to ever hold a Security Council seat, Canada should refuse to recognize the authority of the Security Council.

Toby
said

And to think, all of this time the "Blame Party" aka Conservative/Reform Party was blaming Iggy.Harper and his band of flakes just do not know how to play nice and must blame everyone else for their major shortcomings.

EMac
said

Canada needs to seriously reconsider who they consider to be "friends of Canada". Government was right not to give in to blackmail by any foreign power as it would be the first of many "backdoor dealings". You have to question why that country wants more airspace? In light of terrorism being prevalent in the Arab countries Canada needs to be prepared to say NO more often.

The Truth Hurts!
said

A year ago, I read an article by a writer who challenged the Conservatives to hold an international poll about Canada's sinking reputation worldwide. Of course, the Cons did nothing because they know very well how our wrong foreign policies in the middle east and else where are giving many bad impression about us. I do not expect the dispute with the UAE or our failure in the UN to be the last under the Conservatives!

reece
said

Recriminations, finger pointing, deflection, rationalizing, and lack of accountability is the order of the day. I heard minority govts work because of tight controls and compromises but the Harper minority govt is proving that ascertion wrong. What Harper is not getting is that for every action there is a reaction and the reaction needs to be predicted and weighed. Harper is not doing his home work. And do you guys know what Harper used as a counter weight to balance things out? Incredibley as this may sound but he PERSONALLY went to the UN to plea the case for Canada (while no other state did), and distributed bottles of Canadian MAPLE SYRUP to the members!!! Again, Harper is a child and is way in over his head. No other member state dropped gifts off. Wow, what a statesman, he goes into a tourist gift store and buys maple sryup for the UN members - let me sweeten the deal a bit, how about some syrup to pour on your HUMMUS? Eh? Eh? And not that it could get worse, but he brought a contingent of RCMP officers in their traditional uniforms....i wonder if the Polish leader was having flash backs with the Robert Dzienski horror.

Marcel NWO
said

I am please that Canada stood for our rights and freedoms. UN is a defunct body of politicians and dictators that have a plan to control the world through force. Stepping out of this arena will be good for Canada as they view the UN from a different perspective. I have no use in this body of leaders. I no longer want the UN to dictate to their confused agenda. Come on Portugal on this inner circle is an insul to Portugal -- in the condition they are in today.

Ken
said

Once again, Harper and his crew cut off their nose to spite their face! Obviously, no one in the Conservative party has a clue about negotiations, especially when the UAE had all the cards. Now Canada has 30 days to vacate camp mirage, unless the Conservatives can renegotiate a panic deal to stay. Since the UAE stated they voted against Canada for the security seat, now that we know how the UAE voted because of the dispute with Canada, start thinking of the billion plus in exports Canada does with the UAE every year ... is it in jeopardy too? Harper is leading Canada just like GW Bush led the States, it's time to change direction!

MHB
said

A simple Quiz: How many times did the Cons vote in different international meetings in support of obvious human rights violations by Israel and the US? If you know the answer, you will understand why many around the world have no respect for us anymore!

ian
said

To The Other Ian:Firstly, you think that Harper gave aid because he is a nice guy and it wasn't political? Wake up! The only reason that the conservatives ever give out money is to better themselves. I do agree that this was political, but it wasn't just he UAE that kept us out of the security council. They didn't decide it themselves. There are many votes that went to Portugal instead of ourselves. What I am trying to say is that we need to continue to hold ourselves to the ideals that we would wish of everyone else. Call me naive if you wish, but I do believe that the world would be a better place if we all acted better, and thought of more people than ourselves.I am very proud to be Canadian, very proud indeed, but this pride was fostered on story after story of peacekeeping, health care, foreign aid.We help our neighbours here in Canada, or at least we should.We are no doormat, we exceed all others, or should strive to do so, in order to demonstrate to the world that there are better ways for nations to operate.I don't mind being called naive if it means that I am an optimist, and believe that this world can be better, and that somewhere in the depths of humanity there is good.

daryn
said

Oh My God!!! I can't believe that the follies of Steven Harper are going to go unchallenged by his constituents. Will you conservatives ever see the light? why do you keep running this country's head into the proverbial wall?VOTE Leftwing people we have time to fix this.

Doug
said

It's interesting that a few of these comments devolved into Air Canada bashing. To compete with Emirates- the government of Canada would need to provide jet fuel far below market rates for AC. It would need to subsidize Air Canada's terminal and hangar rent, rubber-stamp it's applications and blackmail any foreign countries that wouldn't let the airline compete unfairly. If we truly believe that we do things right in Canada, that we are in fact morally superior- then we need to stand up to bullies.

EinOT
said

So it wasn't because of Iggy's comments, isn't that a suprise. Typical response from the CONS, they blame everything on the Libs.

RichardLProvencher
said

Hello fellow bloggers; I wish those who slur and slam had the courage to place their full names on the blog. They come across as much as the balaclava thugs who smashed retail windows in Toronto during the G-20 meetings. Thank goodness most of them have now been dealt with. For other bloggers, this is what I learned from reading other papers-- UAE wants Canada to be harder on Israel. Dubai is not happy with their six flights per day and want more access to Canadian routes. They are totally owned by their fabulously rich country and can afford to undercut anyone's prices. Mr. Ignatieff should have taken the high road like Mr. Bob Rae and fully support Canada's desire for that UN seat. Thank goodness we have a government which does not submit to blackmail, as above, and especially does not take marching orders from the UAE, some of whom have publicly declared they wish to remove Israel from the world map, something that will never happen, according to my Bible.

BA in The 'Peg
said

It may have not been totally Ignatieff's fault, but let's face it, on the World Stage, we have to act as one entitiy. We can (and always will) have East vs. West, Leafs vs. Habs, Rural vs. Urban, etc. BUT, when it's Us against The World, as in, Hockey, Olympics, Curling, etc., we ALL stick together as one. Ignatieff did us no favours by his comments. Having said that, the U.N. is indeed a joke. And, PM Harper does an admirable job sticking up for Canada and it's allies. Canada first is this government's motto, and it's a good one.I hope the U.N. remembers this next time there is a disaster and they are calling on countries to help out - let them go directly to Portugual and Germany for the supplies and people needed - Canada is not a punching bag.

John from Kelowna
said

It's pretty sad that the Conservatives lost this seat because Air Canada didn't want Emerites airlines flying into Toronto more than 3 times a week. Check AC's schedule THEY DON"T EVEN FLY TO DUBAI! AC codeshares flights with Lufthansa for Dubai via Frankfurt. AC has no plans for direct flights to Dubai, but this is enough for them to object. So thank Air Canada, for the Canadian army losing a Military Base in the UAE and losing the ability to fly into Dubai. Now we find that we lost the UN seat on the Security council as well. All we can do at this point is to pull the plug on the UAE (Emerites) to fly to Canada. I know that I don't want to ever go to Dubai, no matter how tall they make their buildings in the sand.

Mark Smith (Montreal, PQ)
said

I don't understand what's going on here. Conservatives playing the protectionist card? Since when do conservatives believe in protectionism, especially at the cost of billions of dollars in trade? I could have sworn that it was the left wing that's supposed to be protectionist. Conservatives are supposed to be about free market, so why are all of you conservatives cheering for Harper and Baird and the tories, when they just cost us a lot of money by doing something that flies in the face of real conservatism. Nothing makes sense in this political landscape any more, and there is really no one left to vote for. The tories aren't real conservatives, the liberals haven't had a plan since Chretien, the NDP are left wing extremists, and the Bloc doesn't pay attention unless it affects Quebec. What a completely useless group of leaders.

Eastern Eagle
said

What? The UAE is the one behind our failure? Are you kidding us! The UAE is a tiny country and despite their wealth, they do not have the ability to move the majoirty of nations against us. I am not sure whether to laugh or cry when I read ignorant Cons calling for departing illegal immigrants from the UAE! The UAE is very wealthy and its citizens have no interest to migrate to Canada and I suspect that there is a single illegal immigrant from this country. We are the ones who will loose alot if other nations started to follow our bad example and closed their markets in our faces to protect their local industries. When this happens, the Cons should blame no one but themselves!

Flyer
said

WOW Canadians readers can really show there ignorance sometime, commenting on topics they have little to no knowledge on.I�m glad Ottawa stood up to the UAE on airline route, most countries ( Germany, England, France , Brazil etc) are now lobbing in the UN again the UAE and there airline business practices. They flood the market drive local airlines under, have little regard for airline standards, and then dictate routes and higher prices. I�m glad we are starting to stand up for our countries best interests

simon
said

So it was the United Arabs Emiratus that did this and Not Iggy!!! Canon, Gotcha! on this one!

Greg Viers
said

Looks like we didn't win because we finally are gaining an identity and focus. No longer are we the blindly generous and neutral UN player.

Marcel
said

It's time for Canada to stop being a doormat and stand up for itself. Tell the UAE that all Emirates air traffic is banned from Canada as of today. Also cut back foreign aid to Muslim and African countries immediately. Their votes were decisive at the UN. Tell them to go to the Portuguese if they need more money. Finally, investigate the Canadian Arab Federation which campaigned against Canada's UN seat in the days before the crucial vote. At the UN they sent out a letter called "Don't Give Canada a Security Council Seat."

Disgusted
said

I really wish all those who belong to political parties would stick to the story instead of putting forth your political beliefs and blaming everything on the Cons. or Lib.Just tell it like it is instead of jumping on the party bandwagon.The facts:Iggy did run down harpers bid for a seat solely for political gain--and then said he didn't.Maybe Harper did effect the bid with his foreign policies, but I don't want a Prime Minister who will roll over and play dead either.The UAE thinks it can rule the world with it's oil and if the seat was lost because of Harper standing up to them and not giving them airport space then I say--good going

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

I can hardly wait for their oil to run out...... For all the good our involvement in the UN has done -- and all the money it has cost us --- they can get stuffed. They are a big part of our problems in Africa and Afghanistan. It is a sink-hole for money, an endless source of unworkable polices and a platform for wing nuts and tyrants like the President of Iran.

KAP
said

Canada can exercise its influence in other ways. We should not seek to gain a seat on a council by compromising our values or betraying our allies (i.e. Isreal)

Chad
said

All I can do is shake my head. I've never seen such childish behaviour in the political arena in some time.The UAE is mad because Canada won't concede to more airline traffic so they not only kick our soldiers out but lobby against us at the UN. And how does our government react? They cry and point fingers blaming everyone else."No, you can't ride your bike in my driveway.""Well fine, you can't play in my sandbox; get your toys and go home.""Fine!"

Mike Webster
said

We should fight back and cancel all of their airlines flights into Canada as a retalitation for their actions. They have to understand that you can't negotiate with us through the use of threats. We should also pull any and all foreign aid and investment out of their country as well.

dk
said

Canada needs to recall it's Ambassador, throw the UAE's Ambassador out of Canada and close our airspace to their airlines.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

A 360-degree political farce. Ignatieff, who "ignored" Canada until he decided to sucker the pumpkinheads in the desperate LPC into validating his return and allowing him to chase after his self-serving manifest destiny and pursue the job of PM, labeled his own country undeserving of the seat. What a petty-partisan jackass. (Only the nibs in the Opposition's peanut gallery will forget that one.) Then, we have our Canadian government maneuver to protect pain-in-the-airline-industry-hindflanks Air Canada, as the UAE suddenly decides not to cooperate with a U.N.-sanctioned, anti-terrorism military effort. Beautiful. Then, the UAE peddles its petty grievance to other U.N. members, while pretending not to be thoroughly excited about having an excuse to "punish" a pro-Israel country. (We're supposed to feel bad that we support democratic Israel, despite the fact that the UAE and other Arab states/nations don't give a genuine damn about the Palestinians, and are simply largely anti-Semitic.) Then, we get criticized for our environmental posture (China, a five-star global polluter has a permanent seat on the Security Council), because we don't mindlessly buy into every ounce of left-wing "Climate Change" propaganda and some supporting junk science. Okay. Then, as a reliable heavy lifter in U.N.-sanctioned military/peacekeeping efforts, we get criticized for not doing enough. Really? By the folks who presided over Rawanda, Darfur, Somalia, et al?! By the folks who turn a blind eye to nuclear-wacky Iran? By the folks who didn't have a big issue with Saddam Hussein gassing the Kurds? (The U.N.'s Human Rights Council is a joke.) Instead of hanging our Canadian heads in shame, we should wear the outcome like a badge of honor, given the circumstances. The dysfunctional U.N. should be embarrassed, not our Conservative government.

Doug # BC
said

If "Ian" want to know what happened to Canada, I have an answer."We grew a backbone".If the Liberals were still in power we would have seen Ignatieff bowing at the feet of the UAE.Harper was right to say that landing rights for their air lines have NOTHING to do with defending the people of Afghanistan,and thus should not be used to blackmail the government.It clearly is the UAE who is out of line here.NOT the government of Canada. All I can suggest to "Ian",is,that if he is not willing to defnd this nation,I can't force him to do so.But please,get out of the way of those who are.I offer the same advice to "FUN City,SK".I you took the time to read some of his books,you would know that Ignatieff makes a living dissing this country.And he's been doing that long before Harper became PM.If you think he will defend us now,you've been into the BC bud my friend.It is NEVER acceptable for an elected MP to go on the world stage an denounce the policies of the duly elected government.The disagreements are a part of democracy,and a vital part to of policy developement.But those are debates for our parliament,and for Canadians.Any man not willing to defend this country has no business running for a position of leadership. I heard the recent comments made by Mr.Ignatieff,and he is NOT owed an apology by anyone.In fact,it is he who should be apologizing for his ill informed comment regarding this country.Liberals who adore him should know he always thought of Canada as to left wing,to socialist,and of little importance in the world.A bit like a former US President,who went to his grave thinking Canada, really belonged to the USA,and that it was time to erase the border.

dtisk
said

This speaks not only to the Conservative foreign policy but also domestic economic policy. These so called capitalist are actually corporatists. They wish to protect canadian enterprise from foreign competition despite calling upon other nations to do differently. So now the Canadian consumer must still pay the high high prices resulting from less competition and foot the bill which will be in the millions for finding other base for our support operations within the next 30 days. Great we screwed twice by the Conservative party's commitment to being galactically stupid.

Jamie, Ottawa
said

"The dysfunctional U.N. should be embarrassed, not our Conservative government." How can our government be embarrassed when they have taken all Canadian pride and flushed it?

Guy Griffith
said

I for one am satisfied with not being voted in. Just another way for our politicians to feed their ego with taxpayers money.

Michael
said

UAE controls our port, our refinery, Circle de Soli...they have to be kidding. Wake-up Canada! Why are we allowing non-democratic countries to control so much?

GRB
said

'Matt
The UN is a joke anyway.

Believe Matt's statement is correct !

This is not the United Nations of former years.

Canada's seat on the Security council would have been a plus however most of the Globe is aware that the UN house is filled by terrorists

Bob
said

Screw the UAE, thankfully we actually have a PM who stands for something not like all those LIb governments who sucked up to any left leaning extremist group in the world just to look good.

jdscon
said

Being backstabbed by a bunch of dictators and thugs at the UN is a badge of honor for Canada. Peacekeeping is a myth, there is never any peace to keep. Peace is made by victors in battle and Canada is good at winning battles.The UN is a useless, corrupt organisation bent on undermining democracy and freedom. It focuses on America and Israel as threats while ignoring Iran, North Korea, China, and the Islamo-fascist states that treat women like property.

Linda in Vancouver
said

So let me see if I got this right.All we had to do to get this seat was turn our backs on Israel,give the UAE more landing rights,blindly accept the Kyoto debacle,send a few more boatloads of money to Africa,and convert Michael Ignatieff into a person who defends,rather than denounces this country.Really?? And you Liberals are OK with that price?? I guess that's why,in spite of not liking Mr.Harper all that much,I remain a FORMER Liberal. Given this information,I think Matt is right."The UN is a joke".That formula is like buying a seat in the House Of Commons.Accepting a bribe is just as immoral as offering one.So my solution is to use our African foreign aid dollars to help our First Nations people out of poverty,stand with our NATO allies to defend common interests,tell the UAE to land somewhere else,vote "Iggy" right out of office,andbuild a nice bonfire out of that useless piece of crap they call the Kyoto Protocol. The UN seat now means NOTHING.It has to be bought.Good on Harper for defending Canada's interests,and seeng that the cost of that seat in the UN was to high.

Jackie Barrett
said

Too bad referees and judges can't sanction the United Arab Emirates for "unsportsmanlike conduct" or objectionable conduct.The Sheikhs of United Arab Emirates have to learn to stop acting like "diplomatic crybabies".

Michael
said

Wonder who sponsors the smear crusade against Alberta Oil? More and more countries are looking to Canada to provide them oil; CLEAN OIL, clean from terrorist, oppression of women. We may not be perfect, but we are a far sight better than what Arab countries support and stand for. If you think different go live in Saudi for a while.

Fiscally Left
said

Conservatives playing the protectionist card, any economist will tell you protectionism is bad for the economy. It would be nice to see Harper stand up & apologize to Canadians for failing to get a seat on the US security counsel. Harper has brought Canada to a new low on the world stage.

Marcel from NWO
said

For those who don't believe that the leader of the opposition party has any influence are themsleves deceived. The UAE used the comments of the opposition party to add to their attack. Why not since it would validate the UAE's objectives. We will find many hidden objectives why Canada lost out in the very near future. The artic is next challenge that the UN will try to stick it to Canada. Let us stand together and know who is for and who is against us. There is a proper time for comments but never before an important event. Bad politics on our opposition leaders. Let us see what the Liberal, NDP the other parties don't count willl have to say about the governing administration when the Artic comes up?

L
said

I think some of the posters on this site have not flown Air Canada internationally in a very long time. Their planes are great (love the entertainment system especially) and the service is excellent. I have had my issues with them in the past and their customer service is at times still trying during boarding, but overall they have improved drastically compared to when I flew them 5 years ago. Plus, it is our airspace, we can decide who flies in it, are they giving us more routes to their airspace or is it just that more of their people want to come here than us go there? Pretty childish move on their part to use a commercial dispute to ensure we don't obtain a seat on the Security Council, how is that working together? Given the things Canada does internationally and how much money we give for a country with such a small population, making this over a commercial spat is ridiculous.

Allan Eizinas
said

This was an unnecessary fiasco created by inexperienced negotiators who were guided by right wing ideology. It is a blatant example of protectionism and poor management. Ask those entrepreneurs who live in the Canadian West who have been attempting to open up markets in Dubai. Because of the Air Canada monopoly, they have to fly to Montreal or Toronto, change airplanes and then continue on their way to Dubai � a trip of about 14 hours. Direct flights from Calgary and/or Vancouver would result in an 8 hr flight. Those businessmen from the West who were interviewed were all in favor of allowing Emirates and Etihad Airways landing rights in the Canadian West. We are trying to encourage Canadians to tap into the rich Arab markets � are we not? Those who follow trade talks can now understand why David Emerson bailed from this Harper cabinet and caucus at his first opportunity years ago.

joe canadian
said

We do business with the UAE and now I know hat it is going to be scuttled by the suckling pig that is Air Canada - great.

Kathleen
said

This is ridiculous! Canada didn't give the UAE extra flights because of the potential security risk and they're prevented from maintaining their seat on the UN security counsel as a result of UAE lobby efforts. This is nothing short of childish backstabbing politics - more reason why people don't want to become politicians. There is only one profession hated about as equally as politicians and they'll go unnamed and it was probably that group that helped get Canada out of the UN Security Counsel. Canadians have bent over backwards to assist with peace keeping efforts and security issues globally and this is how we're repaid for our efforts and the millions of dollars that tax payers have put out!

WestofTheRockies
said

@Reece, C�mon �there are none so blind as those who will not see� The Conservative government only stands because your pals haven't got the where with all to defeat them. It only takes one vote in parliament to bring on an election, which by your way of thinking would be a landslide victory for the Liberals. So what are they waiting for, what are your excuses for that? Put up or shut up. This action by the UAE is only connected to the Conservatives by the fact they would not roll over regardless of the outcome, unlike like your pals on the Left who would have. Let�s face it, the UAE wants it�s own way as they�ve had for the last 45 years but even after all this time they don�t have the smarts to negotiate it. Fact is, they have only one viable thing � OIL, which sadly for them we don�t need. They�ve always relied on the West to extract it and refine it, and run everything, (including their airlines) but now their oil is running out and the largest Emirate - Dubai is bankrupt. They are desperate for income from business in other sectors. They don�t know what to do now, countries aren�t showing up at their door begging for what little they have left (sand tourism), so they resort to the last defence of all stupid people � They become bullies. Our government wouldn�t cave in to their attempts at extortion which was the right course, whether it cost us a forces base there or a seat on the Security Council. To top it all of they support terrorism, giving terrorists save haven to operate within as they wish. Just the kind of people you want to be beholden to for a seat on the security counsel. Canada�s integrity is not for sale.

Terry
said

Hey! I thought that Harper said it's Iggy's fault.

Ricky
said

Close the borders for UAE. We don't need them anyways.

jon neil
said

why is it that every time the PC screw up thay always blame somebody someone else. they never own up to there mistakes.

Vanc Guy
said

Canada is known for more than Peacekeeping - what do you liberals think we did in WWI and II, Korea, etc? Before you can keep a peace you have to make one - that takes an army willing to fight. In case you haven't noticed the world has gone to heck - don't expect to be able to play peacekeeper and avoid the hard work anymore.Taking a stand is new to our country as we are used to the liberals selling us out. Keep up the good, hard work PM Harper!!

mr. obvious moncton nb
said

wow....mistaken much are we? first.....you do realise for every 1 UAE person coming here we send about 1000 people there, they are the CENTER economically in the area, and the ONLY country who is gonna lose anything out of this is canada...oh wait...i think we already did...lol

David in Dartmouth
said

Hey folks, the last time I looked....it is Canadians that elect our governments and no one else.....!! WE decide who governs us...! The only peeve I have with all of this is if Stephen Harper could be blamed by our supposed loyal opposition for the crucifiction of Christ...they would do it...in a continued vain effort to make the duly elected Government of Canada look bad..!! As for the Arab Emirates or any other country harbouring ill will towards us, we do not have control over that....as far as the UN is concerned they were morally bankrupt, corrupt and to my mind have absolutely no credibility worth speaking of, just ask the people of Rwanda, General Romeo D'Allaire, General Lew MacKenzie, the people of Darfur etc..... I really do not see what value there is having a seat on such a toothless and worthless organization as the UN..!! except as an academic debating society paid for out of the pockets of the middle class.

LDL in ONT
said

Too bad it was a secret ballot. Otherwise we could put the nay sayers ( those that truly voted against us instead of for Portugal) on a "No-Aid" list. That all sounds like sour grapes though, maybe it was just Germany and Portugal's turn. Not.

IT Manager from Edmonton
said

So the UAE admits to lobbying against us but the article ends with a former diplomat laying the blame on Canada for not jumping to the pump on climate change, supporting Israel etc.These things don't happen unless it was sabotage, because our PM would not have made the trip to the UN for a lost cause so we had to have known we had enough votes pledged for the win. But then something happened and we now know what it is.Blame Canada all you want (Conservative or Liberal posters) but I think here we got jobbed and it was all because some rich oil sheiks did not get their way when it came to OUR airspace.I for one am glad we have a government that stands up to thuggery and not caving in then claiming it was the "nuances" of foreign policy that necessitated that.

JP
said

MATT Harper is a jokeI was a Peacekeeper in the Militray when Canada was well respected-Now under HARPER we are the laughing stock to the world-STAND UP CANADAGive HARPER THE BOOT

Brent
said

What a useless, powerless and impotent body the UN is. George W. Bush had it right when he called it "The League of Nations."

Paul ~ Kitchener
said

The U.N is now a cesspool of Dictators - Religious Fanatics - 3rd World ingrate Nations etc.This is "NO PLACE FOR CANADA".Like I have written in the past this group should go the way of the League of Nations (what a group that was as well).Canadians need to holler loud and clear if our Government ever continues to send our aid and tax dollars to any Arabic Nation (Tribal Oil Dealers).Close our doors to any immigrant from these nations period.Lets also get the hell out of the U.N. and spend the millions of dollars it cost us (what a travesity of justice) to improve life in CANADA for CANADIANS.Canada is now a football for the world to kick lets "KICK BACK".CANADA FOREVER & the rest can go do their thing on each other, we don't need them at all.

Mike S
said

Reece, you said that minority governments work because of tight controls and you might be right but when you have the Block as one of those controls and two losers, Ignatieff and what�s his name from the NDP. These people are not leaders who can control themselves little more then a minority government. What we need in Ottawa is three Canadian based parties with strong leaders. Lets kick them all out and start over. As for the Bloc, any party that has a platform of breaking the country up should be outlawed and run out of Ottawa on a fast train to Quebec where they belong. As for the UAE, ban them from Canada and tell them to play in their sandbox as their oil won�t last forever.

Cara B, NS
said

Whether it was Ignattieff's comments that did in the UN bid or not, it is high time the man learned that you don't dis your own country on the world stage. He may say he is criticizing the Conservatives but his comments come off as criticizing Canada. Maybe he should try SUPPORTING his country for once, even if that means occasionally agreeing with his opponents. Big picture, we could do so much better than we are if our politicians would start putting CANADA first instead of their own political agendas.

Bryn
said

Oh please, you all know that there's not enough business for more jets in Canada to compete with the low-paid Emirates staff. If we allowed them to bully us into allowing them unfettered access, we'd have to spend billions to either prop up Air Canada, or go without a national airline.The Liberals had been bad-mouthing our current government internationally, reducing our credibility world-wide. They have even said that if they get the chance, they'll cancel the Joint Strike Fighter contract. Just remember how they did that with the helicopters, then we all watched the old ones fall out of the sky, killing dozens, and then we were forced to pay millions more. Good work Liberals, too bad you haven't learned a single thing in all these years.

James
said

I have worked in the U.N. and sadly it is a massive waste of money on fat-cats and bureaurats. Anyone who has spent time in the U.N. will know this. It is a blessing in disguise for Canada to lose a security council seat.

As for the U.A.E. and adding more flights to Canada - I say WELL DONE to the Government for preventing this.

Ian
said

So some of you think that it was OK for Ignatieff to make those comments about Canada. Yes I think it was dumb to blame him, but let's face it he didn't help. Nor did Obama apparently. It just shows you that Ignatieff was playing partisan politics to score points in Canada. Who knows how much his comments influenced the vote but it was still uncalled for. It's bad enought we have to fry and get support from the international community without being forced to get support from our own people. And for those who say that Harper never admits when he's wrong, just remember Chretien who in all the years he was in power never admitted when he was wrong. He used to hold media scrums and when he was fed up answering questions he would abruptly say thank you and walk away.

Mike From Calgary
said

Lets puts this context folks. Canada is about to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, there for making Camp Mirage useless to us. Knowing this, the UAE tried blackmailing us in order to get something for nothing. It is the governments job to protect Canadian Industry as well, regardless of the company. I applaud our government for doing what was right, regardless of how it affects out "International Image". We tell our kids to stand up to bullues, should we not expect the same thing from our government. Lets face it, the UN is just a tool of all the dictators and despots who want to push their weight around.

Iggy has more internatial influence than our PM?
said

So what Harper is saying is that Iggy has more influence on the world stage than he? Well that is a joke! Better develop better relations worldwide Harper if this is your excuse. Blame game is always easy isn't it? Take responsibility. That is your job as PM.

Jake
said

Canada has a new identity. Competent combat troops who do the task that should be designated to a much larger military. A strong and intelligent banking sector. Disaster relief. Why stagnate in our old image when thousands of heroes have toiled for nearly a decade to prove to the world that we are a serious country?Just because the world wants Canada to continue to send "Peacekeepers" to crappy parts of the world, why should we not do what WE want?

Joe H, BC
said

Cara B, NS well said

Ian
said

What does Iggy mean by ignoring the UN for the past 4 years. Please explain. Canada has done nothing different than previous regimes except maybe refuse to suck up to the Arab world when it comes to Israel. What does Canada owe to the UN anyway. The UN is a useless bunch of corrupt crooks. Sitting there in the fancy seats in NY while the average citizen still goes hungry. Does the UN ever step in to tell countries that are using children as slave labour to stop? Does the UN ever say anything when women in Arab countries are stoned to death for adultry? Does the UN ever tell China to stop jailing innocent people? No. the UN did nothing while millions were being slaughtered in Rwanda. The UN told Romeo Dallaire to stand there and watch helplessly while people were butchered in the streets. You high and mighty people should save your contempt for the UN and not Harper.

Paul
said

Why is Air Canada directing policy? The airports wanted the UAE to fly here. Why not, Air Canada does not fly to the middle east.Crazy.

my take on this
said

If you consider the stunts Stephen Harper has pulled since becoming the Prime Minister of Canada I'm surprised he's not high fiving the UAE. Compared to the tactics Harper has used the UAE has taken the high road on this one. Poor Steve always has to blame others for his incompetence. Steve, please round up your toys and go home to stay this time.

Proud to be a REAL Canadian
said

vanc guy, I am not supporting the modern day "politically correct" Liberals. But World War 1 and World War 2 both had Liberal Prime Ministers during.If only the modern Liberals had a spine. Thank you Ottawa for sticking up for Canada!

Ian
said

If a country doesn't take a stand against a bully like the UN and UAE then it loses its right to call itself sovereign. All you Harper bashers have got your heads so deep in the sand that you fail to see anything positve that he does. You are dangerous people because you like to tell everyone how open minded Liberals are when in fact you are miles away from being open minded. Firstly the seat on the Security Council which they throw to us as a crumb for a couple of years every decade is a joke. Why should we give up our sovereign rights for this tiny token of esteem from a bunch of crooks. Canada is in decline and its not because of the Cons. The opposition can't seem to get rid of its hatred of all things Conservative and see the good things for what they are. You scare me. This is not the Canada I grew up in.

the other ian
said

To Ian. You just proved my point. Harper increases aid and you claim it is to get votes. No matter what the "cons" do you and your Liberals can't be man enough to admit that some things are good. It's laughable.

Julian
said

Let's just make sure that Canada responds in kind.

The UAE apparently needs a lesson in humility.
Surely there are ways for our government to teach them a little.

On another note, isn't everyone starting to get a little sick and tired of countries in the mid-east throwing their weight around and trying to dictate to us all?

Kevin in T.O
said

Libya is on the UN Security Council. That is reason enough for us not to be there. The UN is corrupt and overrun by thuggish dictatorships who are obsessed with condeming Israel while at the same time giving a free pass to far worse human rights abusers. We have been critical of this and it cost us a seat at the table. A seat that is relatively worthless. I don't even know why Harper was trying for it in the first place.

Julian
said

@ The Truth Hurts!;

Pull your head out of your behind please.

Franky, who gives a damn if we give ANY country in the middle east a "bad impression".

WE have a bad impression of THEM.

With that corner of the world's track record of atrocities and deceit, why in the world should we care what they think of us??

As for the people bursting into tears about "Ignatieff this.." and "Harper that.." (much like in every bloody news story) someone needs to tell you that you all sound like children.
Good grief grow up and stop acting like 8 year olds!

It's not wonder so many people dislike politics. You all give it a bad name.

Jim McB
said

I do not know what to say. I am seeing rational support for a government that did the right thing and disdain for Liberals - all this out of Toronto.I may require therapy and an attitude adjustment to proceed in life :)

Jason B (Calgary)
said

Their airline companies have been overrunning airports all over the world. Shall we allow them to overrun ours. I think not.

AB watcher
said

To those of you who blindly champion the conservatives I would suggest for the sake of Canada's future that you do some on-line research into today's economic players.
Not many of you know that the UAE has spent 20B$ in Alberta over the last few years buying up gas plants (Crossfield, Bearberry as examples) our only ethanol plant (Joffree), oil wells under company names like TAQA and are heavily invested in the coal-bed methane play. China is heavily invested in the oil sands and mines in BC; so to annoy people who own Canada's oil and gas resources (we don't!) seems rather stupid.

Kyle
said

"The first time in history" line is sorta mute because Canada has more history then the length of U.N. As well the "Peacekeeping" title is fairly new as well, with most of our history being a well respected fighting force. We took the side of justice, but were warriors.

Annette
said

The UAE is feeling threatened because of the strength of Canada as an international oil provider. We will have lots, long after they run out!

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

Seems like there were a multitude of reasons why Canada could not get consensus behind its bid for a security council seat.Unfortunately not a single one of them is negotiable when you look at this particular Tory government and its policies and principles.The current leadership of the federal Tory party appeals to ideological and economic minority blocks not only domestically but on foreign policy.That makes it very efficient for forming minority governments but not for getting majority mandates or accomplishing foreign policy goals.I wonder when Stephen Harper will see that he has catered to his base long enough to try to expand it by toning things down.

viral venus
said

Well...if the government REALLY can't bear to take any responsibility for things that are THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, then I guess blaming a powerful foreign nation that admits it applied some pressure at the UN makes a little more sense than blaming the leader of the opposition who I'm pretty sure not many at the UN have really heard of. Still a pretty sad, petulant, pouting performance from our supposed leadership. Real leaders would man up and vow to do a better job next time rather than complain bitterly that their actions played no part in the outcome and they were totally at the mercy of others. Preposterous.

Joel Bain
said

Speculation, speculation, speculation. Is it possible that the other countries simply wanted the Portuguese to have the seat, as a European state, more than Canada? Why do we have to get so personally offended by international politics like this? The blasted thing about so many of these academics (who suggested in this article that Canada lost it due to slow climate change policy) is that they enter into the discussion with the assumption that every other country has nothing better to do with its time than worry about what Canada is doing on the international scene. Other countries really do NOT pay that much attention to what we are or are not doing. With the exception of some activitsts or NGO groups, most citizens of the world couldn't tell you much of anything that Canada has or hasn't done, except that it is cold here and we speak English and French (or at least some of us do...)Let's not get a big head about ourselves, PLEASE!

LT
said

UAE, Why do you want Canada to open up our air space for you? 1st of all, you're not the top 10 trading partner. 2ndly, when was the last time you were did anything for Canadians? If you want more skies to fly, what about fling to Pakistan and India?? they've far more population than Canada. You can add Afghanistan on your daily flight schedules as well.

charlie
said

Notes from the clip board -1. to Iggy - please repeat after me "Country first, political party second". Now try to practice it. 2. to Harper - nice to see someone who doesn't roll over and take it from every tin pot dictator and oil sheik; 3. to UAE - a large raspberry; 4. to the Un - a once promising body before oil for food and many other scandals and weak kneed, hand wringing efforts to avoid anything like responsibility and leadership, while pushing any agenda (like ckimate change crapola) which will drain the wealth from western countries to Africa etc. - a bigger raspberry; 4. to Canada - be proud - you are the envy of many countries acting with more integrity than many of these wing-nuts can imagine.

NS
said

Iggy is a clown, but we should not have protected Air Canada. AC service is third rate, with Airlines like Emirates Air and British Airways farrrrrr ahead. AC operates like a discount airline, but charges like a first rate airline. Time for them to get off the goverment tit, and stand on there own, or fall. The void will be filled. Iggy's insulting remarks about Canada certainly played a part, but in combination with Air Canada sucking us dry.

Charles Stafford
said

I am convinced that the majority of the U.N. members, headed by undemocratic nations, are punishing Canada for having close military ties with Britain and the U.S. and for Canadian support for Israel. Why does UAE need more direct routes to North America through Canada? In a post-9/11 world, such routes could be dangerous vectors for more attacks on North America. Time to say bye-bye to involvement with Islamic lands, Canada. They are not our allies.

5th generation Canadian
said

We need to stop looking for scapegoats and simply admit that over the past four years our foreign policies and involvement with the UN have been a far cry from stellar. No to peacekeeping; yes, to war. No to mediation and bridgebuilding; yes to war and taking one side against the other. No to humanitarian causes; yes to ignoring need and imposing the ideological "morals" of a political party. No to climate change and environmental issues; yes to denial and corporate polluters. My goodness "we" even skipped the General Assembly for a photo op at Tim's. And we wonder why? Our reputation in the world has sufferred terribly and the world has let us know what it thinks of the new Canada. Shame on us.

Rational Coast
said

So far it's everybody's fault but Harper's. It's like Jim "there will be no recession" Flaherty....aren't we due an apology for his ineptitude while we are at it?

Mike Sibley from Pembroke
said

Prof. Pye Chartt, boy do you have it right.

Vince
said

Ironic. The UN was started as a direct result of WWII. Who gets a temp seat on the Security Council? Germany (who started it) and Portugal (who was neutral didn't participate). And today, which of these nations is participating on the front lines of the UN MANDATED ACTION in Afghanistan? Neither.

david
said

how about no more money to the UN, portugal can pick up the bill

Amadeus 2
said

The airlines of the United Emirates operate with low cost labour from India, West Africa, etc. There are no Unions, and except for pilots - wages are ridiculously low. They would like to put every other Internation Air Carrier out of business if they could.The UAE airlines already operate up to four or five weekly flights from Canada - filled almost entirely with passengers originating in Canada = Oil Company personnel etc. The amount of passenger traffic/cargo originating in the UAE for the flights TO Canada is neglible.So now they want to have even more capacity on the route, probably low-balling fares to undercut the European and Canadian carriers - without providing any reciprocity of value to Canada.The fact that they blackmailed Canada by throwing out our military unit in the UAE should require that Canada reciprocate by cancelling ALL the current UAE flight to Canadian airports.In over 40 years of involvment in International Air Agreementgs, I have never seen such a blatant exercise of disdainful power.The blackmail has now been compounded by the actions of the UAEin working to block Canada's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.. What an incredible medieval mentality.Come on Foreign Affairs/Defence - put the boots to UAE airline operations entirely. NOW -Amadeus 2

mike
said

Perhaps this was Obama's payback for Harper's interference in the US election.

rservice
said

Canada needs to exert its power.We need to forget the disaster that was Trudeau.Kick Quebec out of Confederation and develop our own nuclear weapons.Enough of this pussyfooting around

LDL in ONT
said

So Germany, Portugal, As the newly elected members of the Security Council, What's your position on the Iranian President going to Lebanon and giving an inflamatory speach ?..,,,,,,,,..( long silence followed by the sound of a singular chirpping criket). Yeah, thought so.

Ticked, Winnipeg
said

I have Supported the Obama Admin. from the get go.What would happen if Canada was not apart of it? I wonder? Would Canada's imput be missed? Too many questions. Where are the answers? Shhhh, that's a secret.

Norman in Calgary
said

As Canada seeks to emerge on the world stage it is clear that some won�t like it. The UAE who failed blackmail us into landing rights actively campaigned against us. India didn�t help, The Obama presidency told its diplomats to not help Canada. Probably because Harper is refusing to extend our mission in Afghanistan and on and on it goes.
At home the rift between the rightist version of smaller less meddlesome government versus the all powerful interventionist Ottawa of the left has left us divided. Ignatief chose unwisely to wash dirty laundry in public but so has Harper.
What to do? Canadians instead of wanting to be liked should remember the wise words of Gen DeGaulle who said �No nation has friends only interests.� And �A great country worthy of the name does not have any friends.� So whether we are liked or not is largely irrelevant but have we figured out what ARE our foreign interests? As to internal dissent and bickering again I��ll quote DeGaulle. �Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.� Over the last couple of decades we seem to have substituted nationalism rather than patriotism both internally and externally.

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