Directions in Canada’s international security policy: from marginal actor at the centre to central actor at the margins

ID:	HARP-397
Title:	Directions in Canada’s international security policy: from marginal actor at the centre to central actor at the margins
Source:	International Journal , v.55(2) Spr’00 pg 167-187
Parties:
Dispute Resolution Organ:
Year:	2000
Pages:	0
Author(s):
Keywords:	Canada, human rights, military service, Quebec, United Nations, civil and political rights, security, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Tr, armed force, liberty, national defence
Abstract:	For some time now, Canadians have not been overly concerned about national defence. They have felt no threat of imminent invasion; they have not seen their core values or institutions under challenge by some foreign, or even some domestic, force; they have not been coerced into domestic or foreign policies inimical to their preferences. Indeed, the idea of national defence seems to be of decreasing relevance to most Canadians, except for the perception by some that the movement for Quebec sovereignty directly challenges Canadian security. But that does not mean that there has been no activity in this sector of public life. Since 1993 a series of government documents has emanated from the House, Senate, and the Departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and of National Defence (DND); parliament has convened hearings; and the informed public has offered its assessments of foreign and defence policy. To this list can be added the special reports commissioned to address specific concerns, including the Reserves, the Somalia Inquiry, maritime and naval issues, United Nations rapid reaction capability, procurement matters such as fixed wing and helicopter aircraft and conventionally powered submarines, the military justice system, and the `quality of life’ concerns of the families of members of the Canadian Armed Forces. What animates many of these efforts is a need to reorganize, reform, and refocus the Canadian military in the post–cold war world and to relocate it within Canadian society.
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