Sometimes I think that we get so wrapped up in domestic affairs that we fail to see what is happening in the wider world. Perhaps many Canadians think that what goes on beyond our borders doesn’t really affect us, if they do, they had better think again.
Two events occurred in the last week or two that didn’t get a lot of attention but are, in my view, lightning rods.
The first was a visit to Russia’s Vladimir Putin by China’s top diplomat followed up with credible information that China was on the brink of supplying weapons of war to Russia and then a Chinese proposed peace initiative between Ukraine and Russia, heavily loaded in the latter’s favour, effectively, rewarding their aggression.
The second event was within our borders. Information leaked from Canada’s Intelligence Agency (CSIS) revealed hard evidence that China interfered in our 2019 federal election, favouring Liberal candidates. It was further alleged that CSIS warned senior members of the Prime Minister’s Office prior to the 2019 election, that one candidate’s nomination ought to be decertified because of Chinese interference, and no action was taken. That individual is now a member of Parliament.
As this information was recently revealed, the Prime Minister went on the defensive. He downplayed the allegations and refused calls for a public inquiry. He basically told Canadians this was none of their business.
I beg to differ. Canadians have a right to know if foreign powers are disrespecting our sovereignty by interfering in our elections, and if that has occurred, they have the right to know what the government has done about it. Surely we have learned through the centuries that appeasement or self-interest doesn’t work. I am reminded in this instance of a quote from former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker who said, “You can’t stand up for Canada with a banana for a backbone.”
While the two instances mentioned above may seem unrelated, they do have a common thread. They both reveal as other actions by the Chinese Government have, that China is emerging again as an effective superpower and one that is not particularly friendly to genuine democratic countries.
The United States, the global superpower on which Canada relies, (whether we like it or not) is in decline. They have lost significant respect on the international stage and currently, they are a divided nation.
People dismiss knee-jerk cries from nut cases like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who proposes a civil war in the United States, and Fox News’s Tucker Carlson, who not only supports Greene but among other things, has proposed that the United States invade Canada.
We need to remember two things: A significant portion of Americans still believe that Donald Trump won the last election, and these are the same people who support and give credibility to the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, and yes, Steve Bannon. There is a movement there that has not been eliminated and indeed, may be growing.
There was also a similar movement, begun by similar minority dissidents, that eventually led to World War ll. That war started because Germany invaded Czechoslovakia.
Now we have an unprovoked war of aggression started by Russia against Ukraine. Russia appears to have a powerful ally in China who themselves are salivating to control much of Asia including Taiwan. The United States has pledged to defend Taiwan.
Russia and China also have close ties to Pakistan and Iran, not to mention trigger-happy North Korea. On top of that, the United Nations is impotent, if not useless, when it comes to stopping Chinese and Russian aggression and they will continue to be as long as Russia and China have a veto there.
Are we on the brink of another World War? I honestly don’t know. I fervently hope not. I do believe we are well into another Cold War. As well, I am concerned that the balance of power that has existed for decades is now shifting away from the West.
I am a believer that without serious due diligence, what goes around comes around. For that reason, if for no other, we should abandon the recent penchant to erase much of our history and instead strive to learn from it.
While different players and different alliances are involved, there are a number of similarities to the state our world is in today compared to the years immediately before World War ll. Propaganda or disinformation was prevalent then and it is now. Territorial gain was the top priority for the aggressors then and it is now. Appeasement and ignoring the realities of what is taking place did not work then and will not work now. The sky may not be falling, but there are clouds on the horizon.
Canada has always punched above its weight in times of trouble. We need to do that again, now. Not duck issues with a major power because the governing Party in Canada may have been the beneficiary of their malfeasance.
Canada, in my view, has an important role to play in maintaining peaceful coexistence worldwide. We have earned over the years an important place on the world stage. We have set examples that other countries have emulated. We are known for our steadfastness and courage. We are known for Lester Pearson-like diplomacy where the carrot and the stick work together to maintain peace and order.
Now more than ever, as we face numerous international challenges and crises, we need that kind of leadership from Canada. We need leaders with backbones of steel.
Bananas won’t cut it.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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