Canada in the Americas: Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic

UNCLAS TORONTO 000084 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PGOV PINR PREL CA SUBJECT: Canada in the Americas: Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Warns Against Protectionism, Argues For More Canadian Diplomacy Sensitive but Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a March 20 speech before the Canadian Council on the Americas, Liberal Foreign Affairs critic and newly elected Member of Parliament Bob Rae argued for increased resources and better coordination among Canadian foreign affairs agencies, and a stronger Canadian commitment to the Americas. Rae also warned of the dangers of protectionism, particularly in the United States, and noted that renegotiating NAFTA would put "everything" on the table, to include energy and bulk water exports. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Rae criticized what he described as Prime Minister Harper's hostility toward the professional Canadian foreign service, and noted that Harper's (and previous governments) efforts to cut back and marginalize the public service contradict the increased burden placed on Canadian diplomacy worldwide. Harper's "command and control" style of management, according to Rae, is ill-suited for the management of highly complex organizations like the Canadian federal government. ¶3. (SBU) Rae said Canadian diplomacy needs more resources as well as much better coordination and the elimination of "silos" between DFAIT and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). He specifically cited President Bush's request for increased State Department funding and staffing as an example of what Canada needs. Canadian public diplomacy should be reinvigorated, with more focus on education and selling Canada as a unique "brand" to worldwide audiences, he argued. ¶4. (SBU) Rae was cautious about the extent of Canada's influence in the Americas. He said he believes Cuba's transformation "may be about to begin" and argued that Canada's policy of limited engagement is the right course because it gives Canada opportunities to influence the transformation that are unavailable to the U.S. He expressed disagreement with Venezuela and Hugo Chavez's politics, but noted that each country is free to choose its own path. He described Chavez's recent referendum defeat as a hopeful sign of democracy in Venezuela. Rae also argued for increased engagement with Mexico and Brazil as their economic influence grows. ¶5. (SBU) In response to audience questions, Rae criticized protectionist impulses throughout the hemisphere and said Canada is far too dependent on trade to restrict it. Canadian policymakers, Rae said, should emphasize to U.S. leaders the dangers of restricting trade. He also noted that if the U.S. wants to renegotiate NAFTA, "everything" would be on the table, particularly oil and gas and "better protection of our water resources." ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Rae, likely to be a foreign affairs "heavyweight" in the Liberal caucus in the Commons, presented a spirited case for increased resources for Canadian international engagement. With the exception of his comments on NAFTA, his view of Canada's role in the world is non-controversial from the U.S. perspective. However, his remarks on Harper's leadership style and attitude towards the Canadian public service may be a preview of his lines of attack when he takes his seat in Ottawa after Parliament sits again on March 31. END COMMENT. NAY