The Erosion Of Canada’s Status As An Honest Broker

By Rupert Johnson

After the Second World War, Canada was looked upon as a respected, unbiased broker in mediating conflicts around the world. There is no better example of Canada as an effective honest broker than in the peaceful resolution of the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956.

Canada stood tall during this critical world event when its famous Foreign Minister, Lester B. Pearson brokered a peaceful end to the conflict in the Middle East. Pearson used his diplomatic skills to get the unequivocal support of the United Nations. This remarkable achievement earned him the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. Canada was held in very high esteem at that time.

For many years after Canada’s unbiased role in the Suez conflict, Canada was regarded as a genuine peacekeeper throughout the world. It is to be noted that this independent peacekeeping policy was continued by Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. This independent foreign policy was particularly noticeable by Trudeau’s friendly relationship with Cuba which irritated the U.S.

This independent foreign policy was also stridently followed by Prime Minister, Jean Chretien when he bluntly refused to side with the United States in launching an attack on Iraq. In addition, Trudeau and Chretien were always unbiased in their approach to the perennial conflicts in the Middle East.

But it is sad to say that since the advent of the Conservative Party in Ottawa, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Stephen Harper Canada’s role as an independent honest broker in world affairs has been badly eroded. Because of Harper’s biased view in world affairs Canada is no longer held in high esteem. Its failure to secure a seat on the U.N. Security Council is a good example.

The current Canadian Prime Minister and his cohorts have consistently supported Israel in spite of the Israeli overwhelming military campaigns against the Palestinians. At the same time the Canadian Administration has consistently refused to have meaningful talks with Hamas which was elected by the Palestinians a few years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I do not condone the barrage of missiles by Hamas on Israel. Nevertheless, perpetual military confrontation can never bring about peace in the Middle East.

A political solution through dialogue seems to be the only sensible answer. It was Moshe Dayan, the famous Israeli Defense Minister during the legendary six-day war in the Middle East, who stated unequivocally: “If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.”

Indeed, this is a profound statement that should serve as a model for Prime Minister, Stephen Harper and his Conservative government. Thus, Canada should resume its traditional role as an honest broker and an unbiased peace-maker. At no time is Dayan’s statement more applicable than now, for the current warfare between Israel and the Palestinians desperately requires a complete new approach in the quest for a comprehensive and sustainable peace.

It is quite obvious that the old tired approach of ostracizing the enemy is not effective. It is time that Canada realizes that the only way to tame and contain the enemy is through face-to-face engagement, not warfare and isolation. Canada urgently needs another Lester B. Pearson to restore respect for this country in the United Nations and resume its role as an honest broker.

Rupert Johnson can be reached at: r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca.