Stein: What issue should John Baird prioritize?

By:
Janice Stein
/
13 June, 2011
By: Janice Stein
Professor, Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

The new Foreign  Minister will have to signal Canada’s priorities in the first few weeks. He will have to pay attention to the war in Libya and make clear whether Canada has embraced regime change as a goal.  The Foreign Minister should also emphasize Canada’s commitments to open trading systems, and to new agreements in Asia and Latin America. In both regions, the government will have to put meat on the bones to deepen Canada’s trading and investment relationships. Finally, the Minister will have to move forward with the United States in removing the obstacles to trade and mobility and to smartening our shared border.

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