Sound and Fury: Diefenbaker, Human Rights, and Canadian Foreign Policy

The purpose of this essay is to examine the evolution of Canada’s policy in response to the Darfur genocide since 2003. In this light, this essay will first outline Paul Martin’s policy during his prime ministership and then analyze Prime Minster Stephen Harper’s policy since his election in 2006. This examination will demonstrate that a considerable divide occurred in Canadian foreign policy during Martin’s prime ministership. Martin’s rhetoric concerning Canada’s contribution to stopping the Darfur genocide became so exaggerated that it was impossible for government action to accommodate. By contrast, although Harper’s limited action in sending financial aid and military expertise to Darfur mirrors that of his predecessor, Harper has effectively taken the air out of Martin’s inflated rhetoric. Harper’s reluctance to publicly address Canada’s response to the Darfur genocide represents a divergence from the trend in contemporary Canadian foreign policy; in other words, Harper’s rhetoric matches his government’s action. Why the drastic change? As this essay will argue, Harper’s deflated rhetoric on the Darfur genocide is the by-product of his strategy to focus his foreign policy message on missions that will achieve the most political points at home, namely, militarizing the Afghanistan war, ensuring closer ties with the United States, satisfying the Canadian Forces, and defining himself in relation to the previous and present Liberals as a decisive leader. In short, Harper has largely neglected the Darfur genocide in order to position himself as a decisive leader concerned with issues of peace and security instead of issues of development and human rights.

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Review: Canadian Foreign Policy: Human Rights in Canadian Foreign Policy

International Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy Analysis ◽

10.1177/002070209004500111 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 179-181

Author(s):

Philippe LeBlanc

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Foreign Policy ◽

Canadian Foreign Policy

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Opportunities to promote human rights and democratic values abroad: The case of Canadian foreign policy toward Venezuela

International Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy Analysis ◽

10.1177/00207020211048431 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002070202110484

Author(s):

Yvon Grenier

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Foreign Policy ◽

National Interest ◽

Gear Up ◽

Democratic Values ◽

Canadian Foreign Policy ◽

The World ◽

Protection Of Human Rights ◽

Litmus Test

This article examines Canadian foreign policy toward Venezuela, as a litmus test of Ottawa’s promise to project a consistently strong voice for the protection of human rights and the advancement of democratic values in the world. The case is made that Canada is more likely to gear up to an assertive approach if there is a perception that there is an opportunity for democratization in the country, and for policymakers in Ottawa, if there is an opportunity to prioritize human rights and democracy, as opposed to more traditional national interest objectives. The article offers an explanation about when and how Canada typically promotes its liberal values abroad.

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