Archive » Tag: Prime Minister Trudeau
2-year extension of Iraq mission lacks transparency and oversight
June 30, 2017
In a June 29th press release, the Department of National Defence announced a two year, $371 million extension to the Canadian mission in Iraq. The mission will now run until at least March 2019 and gives Defence Chief General Jonathan Vance authority to “deploy capabilities as needs arise,” including the option of sending up to […]
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Trump pressures Canada to double defence spending
May 29, 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump tried to dress down fellow NATO members for not spending enough on their armed forces in a speech at the NATO summit on Thursday. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the second-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, condemned the President’s comments: “I was appalled by his condescending remarks to NATO leaders today, […]
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Common Wisdom on Russia is not Wise
March 3, 2017
Christopher Westdal has the distinction of being the only Canadian diplomat to have served both as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine (1996-98) and Russia (2003-06). Below is a slightly edited version of his remarks as spoken to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Commons of Canada. Introduction Thank you. I am honoured […]
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UN Common Security Principles should guide PM’s dealings with Trump
November 17, 2016
This comment by Rideau Institute President Peggy Mason first appeared in the Open Canada online forum, Seven Foreign Policy Wishes for the Trump Administration (OpenCanada.org, 16 Nov 2016). President-elect Donald Trump has called NATO “obsolete” and “outmoded” and has warned its members to stop freeloading or the U.S. will no longer “protect” them. NATO governments […]
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