John Baird

Canada 'reconsidering' UNESCO funding after Palestine's admission

For Immediate Release

Montreal, Nov. 1, 2011 - On Oct. 31, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted full membership to Palestine, despite the certainty that the U.S. would cut its funding -- 22 per cent of the agency's budget. The UNESCO membership bid, which required approval by two-thirds of the agency's general conference, passed by a vote of 107 to 14, with 52 abstentions. The U.S., Canada, Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany were among those who voted against, while China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and India voted in favour. Huge cheers erupted in the UNESCO meeting hall when the Palestinian membership passed.

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Opinion

Baird's support for regime in Bahrain: All part of Canada's 'royal' foreign policy

The current Canadian government has a thing for monarchy. In fact the Conservatives seem to like it better than democracy.

First it seemed quirky and quaint when they ordered portraits of Queen Elizabeth II to be put up in Canada's overseas missions and promoted British royal visits. Then it got a little embarrassing when they reinstated "Royal" to the Canadian Air Force and the Navy's official name.

But since the "Arab Spring" democracy struggles that began in 2011 Stephen Harper's government has gotten down right scary, apparently supporting the divine right of kings over rule by the people.

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Bahrain Canadian politics federal politics foreign policy Harper government John Baird Middle East Stephen Harper

John Baird's murky trip to the Middle East

Gerry Caplan

| April 8, 2013

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is on a long visit to the Middle East. Like Canadian foreign policy in general these days, the exact purpose of the trip is a bit murky.

No doubt it will be another opportunity for Mr. Baird to demonstrate that the Harper government refuses to go along to get along, as he loves repeating. "We want to continue to promote Canadian values," the Minister says. That means "democratic societies that respect the rule of law," including the rights of women, minorities and gays. An ethical foreign policy, in other words, that won't sell its soul by co-operating with the likes of China, for example, except when it will.

Baird in Bahrain: What about those Canadian arms sales to Saudi Arabia?

Derrick O'Keefe

| April 3, 2013

I knew it had to be a hoax, even if the dateline didn't read April 1.

A story buzzing around social media yesterday morning claimed that John Baird had been embarrassed by reporters at a press conference in Amman, Jordan.

The piece asserted that journalists had peppered Baird with a series of questions about Canadian politics, concluding: "An unidentified reporter suggested that Canada sounded more like an autocracy than a democracy ... At this point Minister Baird indicated that the Press Conference was over."

Now come on.

Opinion

John Baird's presence at AIPAC confirms Harper government's uncritical support of Israel

John Baird, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed to deliver a keynote address at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual policy meeting taking place March 3 – 5, 2013 in Washington, D.C.

His presence there further cements the Harper government's uncritical support of Israel in face of its deteriorating record of massive human rights violations in Occupied Palestine. "Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel," said Mr. Baird in November 2012. His invitation to address AIPAC reflects that this government's position has not altered in face of Israel's widening breaches of international and humanitarian law against the people and land of Palestine.

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Columnists

Freedom from religion: An essential right for all

The integrity of the Conservative government's newly minted Office of Religious Freedom is already in grave doubt after 10 days of pointed criticism. It's a noble-sounding endeavour, but it suffers from too many unanswered questions, glaring incongruities and serious omissions.

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Atheism Canadian politics Discrimination Harper government John Baird Office of Religious Freedom religious intolerance

politics

Mali and the true cost of Canada's military adventures in Africa

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Responding to increased public disapproval of the on-going Canadian military mission in Mali, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that Canada would not want to do more in Mali, as the situation there turns into an insurgency.

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John Baird's office of religious freedom

Dennis Gruending

| January 6, 2013

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Columnists

Before championing human rights abroad, Canada needs to look closer to home

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On December 10th, the world celebrated Human Rights Day. Of course, I didn't expect this celebration to be a joyful or a rosy one. Canada, with the trembling voice of its Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, added its fading voice to the international scene.

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detention first nations rights human rights human rights day John Baird omar khadr UN Security Council

Jewish human rights group slams Harper government's UN vote on Palestine

Independent Jewish Voices

| December 3, 2012

A Canadian Jewish human rights group is condemning the Harper government's opposition to giving Palestine non-member observer state status at the United Nations. In a vote taken this week by the General Assembly, 138 countries voted to grant Palestine this status.

"Once again the Harper government has embarrassed Canadians on the world stage, rendering itself not only useless but dangerous on the question of peace in the region," explained Independent Jewish Voices - Canada spokesperson Sid Shniad.

John Baird

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