NDP leader Don Davies reacts to Prime Minister's speech

NDP Leader Don Davies issued the following statement:

The Prime Minister spoke well in Davos about the changing world order and Canada's need to take principled and effective action in response to that new reality. This is an important and timely message that the global community must hear from all nations who believe in international order and respect for sovereignty.

New Democrats agree with this direction. Indeed, it is overdue.

We’ve been calling for the Canadian government to take a stronger, values-based approach generally, and to US President Donald Trump in particular, since last May.

Unfortunately, the Liberals have failed to do so on a consistent basis.

Despite Mr. Carney’s claim that we need to pivot away from the Trump administration, Mr. Carney has:

• entered into discussions with the US government’s “Golden Dome” defence plan;
• offered to move on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would deepen our dependence on the US; and
• bowed to US pressure and backed down on a Canadian tax on US tech giants.

In addition, timid responses to breaches of international law from Gaza to Venezuela undermine Canada`s message that the rule of law must be adhered to by the strong as well as the weak.

The reality is that the world is in a precarious state because of decades of neo-liberal policies and the lack of will to name crimes of aggression no matter who commits them. Domestically, Canada is in a more vulnerable position today because of decades of policies put in place by both Liberal and Conservative governments.

As we have stated for some time, and as Prime Minister Carney has asserted, more of the same will not correct this course.

Canada, and the world, must change.

New Democrats will go into the upcoming session proposing positive ideas and principled policies to strengthen Canada's self-reliance, defend our sovereignty, diversify our trade relations, stand up for peace, respect international norms, and build a fairer and more secure world.