He pauses for a moment, as if remembering something.
"Also, a strong, economically good partner for trade and commerce," Baird says. "A big part of what we do now, more and more, is about economic development, is about job creation in Canada and abroad, the economic growth of Canada and abroad."
Canada has long had international trade ministers, industry ministers and finance ministers whose responsibilities have included standing up for and promoting Canadian business and trade interests around the globe.
But over the past couple of years, the Conservative government has overseen an unprecedented shift toward using Canadian diplomatic resources - and even foreign aid - for the same purposes.
The Conservatives say this is good both for Canada and the world as Canadians expect their government to help them find jobs, while economic prosperity is the best solution for ending poverty and encouraging peace and stability overseas.
But critics have accused the Conservatives of adopting a "me-first" attitude that not only squanders Canada's hard-earned reputation as a caring, compassionate partner for peace, but also goes too far in selling out important principles for "the almighty dollar."
Baird acknowledges that Canadian diplomacy is increasingly shifting focus from past practice.
"A big part of our job is economic," he says in a recent interview with Postmedia News. "It's about jobs."
At the same time, he says, one of the Conservative government's main foreign policy goals is promoting open economies, which goes hand-in-hand with freedom and global stability.
"The greatest thing (for) global peace and security is a growing economy," he says.
Where, critics ask, are the broader initiatives and vision that earned Canada a strong reputation in the world.
"Canada has favoritized trade missions over peace missions," says Walter Dorn, chair of the department of security and international affairs at the Canadian Forces College.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Lee Berthiaume
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