There’s a school of thought that feels, even when the U.S. does bad things in the world, we should look the other way and keep our eyes cast demurely downward.

If Washington chooses to invade Iraq, to launch a lawless “war on terror,” to start an arms race in space or to obstruct worldwide efforts on climate change, Canada should stand by her man. If we want to disagree with this big, over-muscled guy, we should whisper softly in his ear, not embarrass him in public.

This is the view held by many pundits, who lambasted Prime Minister Paul Martin last week for using the UN conference in Montreal to criticize Washington’s refusal to co-operate with international efforts on climate change.

But it’s a view that’s apparently rejected by ordinary Canadians; a poll found 61 per cent supported Martin for criticizing Washington on this.

Everyone knows there’s no way to force the rogue Bush administration into line with the international consensus on a number of key issues, including climate change. About the only tool available — and it’s a blunt instrument — is the pressure of world opinion.

So if that’s the only tool, let’s use it.

The Canadian public seems hungry for this sort of effort to kick-start action on issues — like climate change — that really matter to the world’s future.

Of course, Martin would have more credibility if Canada’s own record on climate change weren’t so bad. We’ve failed drastically in cutting our own emissions. Still, we did sign Kyoto, and we played a significant role at the Montreal conference in launching a process for post-Kyoto action.

Commentator Richard Gwyn argued last week that attacking the U.S. reveals a timidity about attacking ourselves.

My guess is that, on the contrary, Canadians welcome criticism of our own dismal record on climate change. What they want is action toward a solution, here and in the world. As an election issue, this matters more to them than endless chatter over gaffes about beer and popcorn.

So Martin did the right thing in standing up to the U.S. on Kyoto. If only he would do this on other important issues too.

Last October, the Martin government caved in to U.S. pressure and abandoned support for an innovative UN resolution on disarmament. Among other things, the resolution was aimed at heading off a nuclear arms race in space.

Canadians overwhelmingly oppose weapons in space, but the U.S., virtually alone among nations, wants such weapons, seeing them as key to maintaining its military mastery of the world.

I bet Canadians would have roundly applauded if Ottawa had insisted on supporting the UN resolution, despite strong U.S. objections. But, with the media ignoring the issue, the Martin government quietly capitulated.

Without Canada’s crucial support, the resolution died.

The problem isn’t that Ottawa criticized the U.S. on Kyoto. The problem is preventing Ottawa from demurring to our over-muscled boyfriend whenever the cameras aren’t rolling.

Linda McQuaig

Journalist and best-selling author Linda McQuaig has developed a reputation for challenging the establishment. As a reporter for The Globe and Mail, she won a National Newspaper Award in 1989...