Rob Nicholson
The change Rob Nicholson, former Defence minister, becomes minister of Foreign Affairs. He replaces John Baird after the latter’s surprise resignation last week. The file The crisis in Ukraine and the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) have dominated Canada’s international agenda since last year, and that won’t change with a new Foreign Affairs minister.
Mr. Nicholson will also be responsible for determining what assistance Canada can give Ukraine as the government in Kyiv fights two battles: the first against Russianbacked separatists, the other against endemic corruption. Somewhat easier will be dealing with Moscow, given that the Conservative government has suspended all but the most low-level contacts with the Russians.
ISIS poses a different challenge. Canada’s military response has taken centre stage, and there will be no negotiating with the group. But there clearly needs to be a more inclusive government in Baghdad. Mr. Nicholson will be expected to continue championing greater tolerance for religious minorities and closer ties with select Arab governments.
Mr. Baird made an art of condemning Iran and supporting Israel; Mr. Nicholson will be less dramatic and more scripted on both. He could also face a challenge if Israelis elect a new government next month. The Conservatives have cosied up to right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a new Israeli government could force a different approach.
Mr. Baird personally championed human rights and democracy in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, as well as gay rights and the fight against childhood marriage in developing countries. It’s unclear how, or if, these will fit in Mr. Nicholson’s plans. The minister This is Mr. Nicholson’s third high-profile post. The 62-year-old lawyer from Niagara Falls served as Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s first justice minister when the Conservatives were elected in early 2006. He was then shuffled to National Defence in July 2013, replacing Peter MacKay.
Ironically, Mr. Nicholson wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near a household name when he took over as Defence minister. Canada’s 12-year war in Afghanistan was coming to an end and the Canadian military wasn’t expected to be deployed on another mission anytime soon. Mr. Nicholson was expected to quietly wield the axe on billions of dollars in defence-spending.
Instead, he was thrust into the limelight, forced to explain and defend the war against ISIS while co-ordinating Canada’s military response to the terrorist group as well as Russian actions in Ukraine.