Pipelines, the environment and Russian relations
OTTAWA— Canada’s role in the world took centre stage in a two-hour election debate in Toronto that saw Conservative leader Stephen Harper, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau clash verbally over a wide range of international issues and how Ottawa should respond.
The Munk debate exposed sharp differences between the three main federal parties on international terrorism, climate change, trade deals, tighter security legislation and Ottawa’s relations with U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration.
Canada-United States Relations
Harper: “Canada has a good (relationship) with the United States. We work productively overall but at the same time, the responsibility of the prime minister of Canada is to stand up for Canadian interests. Where it’s necessary to take a different position from the United States, we do that.”
Trudeau: “Unfortunately, Mr. Harper has narrowed the entire relationship with the United States to a single point around the Keystone XL pipeline. And he went to New York and criticized and harangued the president. That is not the kind of relationship we need, because not only does it not get the outcome that was desired of getting an approval for the Keystone XL pipeline.” Climate change
Harper: “For the first time we have a real reduction in greenhouse gases and a real plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . . . We have a real plan, we’re taking actions and, by the way, we’re doing that without imposing carbon taxes on the Canadian population.”
Mulcair: “The NDP has a clear plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. No more excuse is possible. No more fake stuff from the Liberals. No more pretending to do things from the Conservatives. The NDP will get it done. I have that track record, we have that clear plan.” Relations with Russia
Trudeau: “Mr. Harper has made a big deal out of talking loudly and strongly at Mr. Putin. But the reality is that Canada has such a diminished voice on the world stage . . . that Vladimir Putin didn’t listen to him when he told him to get out of the Ukraine . . . We don’t have the impact that we used to have in multilateral organizations to push back effectively against bullies like Vladimir Putin.”
Mulcair: “It’s interesting to hear Mr. Trudeau say what he’s going to do with Mr. Putin. Mr. Trudeau, you can’t even stand up to Stephen Harper on C-51. How are you going to stand up to Putin?”