This article was originally published in the Fall 2011 print edition of The Diplomatic Courier.
Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird has been attracting considerable attention in Washington lately with matters such as border security, immigration, foreign policy partnerships, and energy security coming to the fray. Minister Baird has been a high-profile figure in the Canadian political system for nearly two decades, holding such posts as Member of Parliament, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of the Environment, and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. The Foreign Minister’s delegation came to Washington recently on an official diplomatic visit to meet with his counterpart Hillary Clinton. Baird and Clinton discussed a wide variety of issues, including the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, and gave remarks to a press conference thereafter. The Diplomatic Courier caught up with Minister Baird to ask him to delve deeper into the meeting as well as elaborate on his vision for Canada’s engagement with the world.
DC: During your press remarks with Secretary Clinton on August 5, you mentioned the U.S.-Canada Shared Border Initiative. This comes on the heels of lot of analysis that points to a detrimental “thickening” of the border since 9/11 due to increased security and immigration concerns. Can you explain how this new initiative will fix the shortcomings of the past and build better, more trade-conducive, yet also more secure border controls for the future?
John Baird: That is exactly what this initiative aims to do. Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to ensure our economic recovery. Canada and the United States have long shared the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. Eight million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada, and one-in-seven Canadian jobs depend on trade with the U.S. In 2010 alone, our trade reached over $645 billion, representing $1.7B per day crossing our borders. This is why our relationship and this initiative are so important to our respective economies.
Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced this initiative in February of 2011 and officials from both countries have been hard at work developing the Border Action Plan. We are working together to pursue creative and effective solutions to better manage the flow of traffic between our borders; not just of people, but trade and investment, while still enhancing security measures. We are hopeful the Border Action Plan will be presented back to the Leaders in short order.
DC: The proposed Keystone pipeline project, which will be a $7 billion energy corridor running from Alberta to Texas, is currently being reviewed by and ultimately up to the State Department. Secretary Clinton mentioned the review process during your mutual press conference. Do you think that the environmental concerns centered on the construction and maintenance of this pipeline are overblown?
JB: The Keystone XL Pipeline is one of great economic significance to Canada. We are confident that safety and environmental issues to be examined during the final review period conducted by the State Department can be fully addressed in a satisfactory manner.
The Government of Canada respects the U.S. permit process for this important project. We are firmly committed to a safe, secure, highly regulated, and integrated pipeline system between Canada and the United States that will contribute to North American energy security and economic prosperity for decades to come.
DC: What would be the costs of not pursuing this pipeline, for Canada, the U.S., and the region, respectively?
JB: The economy continues to be our government’s number one priority. Keystone XL will create high-paying jobs in Canada and the U.S. during its construction and thousands more over the life of the pipeline. Oil sands development is expected to contribute on average $8.4 billion to the U.S GDP, while if the pipeline is approved, this number is expected to grow to $14.4 billion.
The economic recovery is still fragile, and projects like this can help support our recovery.
DC: As the USA’s largest trading partner and one of our most significant allies, you clearly keep up with the recent happenings on Capitol Hill, the administration’s fiscal policies, and last but not least, S&P’s recent downgrade of our credit rating. Given that economics has come to play an increasingly important role in foreign policy, how do Washington’s maneuvers within the global political economy affect your own professional duties and responsibilities?
JB: Over the last few days, financial markets have reacted to the uncertainty generated by the U.S. fiscal challenges, concerns about U.S. growth and the continuing debt problems in Europe.
We continue to see positive job numbers here in Canada, and our budgetary position is among the strongest in the world. However, we have continued to warn that the global economy remains fragile, and that Canadian jobs, and securing our recovery must be, and continues to be our government’s number one priority. Although we are well positioned to face these challenges, as a trading nation, we must remain vigilant.
DC: As the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan draws down, how are you ensuring that Canada’s own contributions to the war achieve their strategic objectives?
JB: Our armed forces continue to make significant contributions in Afghanistan as we help train the Afghan National Security Forces still while promoting regional diplomacy and delivering humanitarian assistance.
Through our time in Afghanistan we have helped build schools in Kandahar Province, rehabilitate the Dahla Dam irrigation system, and contributed to the eradication of polio.
Canada’s ultimate aim has been and continues to be to help Afghans rebuild Afghanistan into a country that is better governed, more stable and secure, and never again a safe haven for terrorists.
DC: Do you see any inconsistency with the foreign policy approaches that Canada and the U.S. have taken with regards to the individual cases of Libya and Syria? Please explain.
JB: I cannot speak on behalf of the United States, but what I can tell you is that as members of the Contact Group on Libya, Canada and the United States support the leading role of the United Nations in facilitating dialogue and the political transition process reflecting the aspirations of the Libyan people. There’s significant unity in our purpose, and we want to pursue any political settlement for Gadhafi to go.
In terms of the violence in Syria, Canada continues to stand with the Syrian people in their calls for real reforms. We have continuously said that Assad must stop the violence against his own people, end the impunity of his security forces, and engage in genuine reform or leave.
I stated on August 3 that Canada welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Assad regime. We will continue to work with the international community and like-minded countries such as the United States to pressure the Assad regime to stop the assault on its own people. The Syrian people demand and deserve better from their government.
DC: How will your government’s engagement with China include pressure to reform and improve Beijing’s human rights record?
JB: Canada and China share a strong and multidimensional strategic partnership. China is our second largest trading partner, and we continue to cooperate widely on many social issues. However, like with any friendship, we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. We continues to press China on a range of human rights issues at every opportunity, but we do so in a frank and respectful manner.
Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to express Canadian values abroad, like democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and that’s what we do at every opportunity.
DC: Both Ottawa and Washington are opposing a move by PA President Mahmoud Abbas to gain UN recognition for a state of Palestine in September. Can you explain the reasoning behind your opposition to such a vote?
JB; Our government's long-standing position has been very clear. We are committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East whereby two states live side-by-side in peace and security. Any two state solution must be negotiated and mutually agreed upon by both states. One of the states must be a Jewish state and recognized as such, while the Palestinian state is to be a non-militarized one. I can tell you that, as G-8 leaders declared at Deauville, supported by Prime Minister Harper, unilateral action is ultimately unhelpful to the Middle East Peace Process.
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Interview with John Baird
September 16, 2011
This article was originally published in the Fall 2011 print edition of The Diplomatic Courier.
Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird has been attracting considerable attention in Washington lately with matters such as border security, immigration, foreign policy partnerships, and energy security coming to the fray. Minister Baird has been a high-profile figure in the Canadian political system for nearly two decades, holding such posts as Member of Parliament, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of the Environment, and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. The Foreign Minister’s delegation came to Washington recently on an official diplomatic visit to meet with his counterpart Hillary Clinton. Baird and Clinton discussed a wide variety of issues, including the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, and gave remarks to a press conference thereafter. The Diplomatic Courier caught up with Minister Baird to ask him to delve deeper into the meeting as well as elaborate on his vision for Canada’s engagement with the world.
DC: During your press remarks with Secretary Clinton on August 5, you mentioned the U.S.-Canada Shared Border Initiative. This comes on the heels of lot of analysis that points to a detrimental “thickening” of the border since 9/11 due to increased security and immigration concerns. Can you explain how this new initiative will fix the shortcomings of the past and build better, more trade-conducive, yet also more secure border controls for the future?
John Baird: That is exactly what this initiative aims to do. Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to ensure our economic recovery. Canada and the United States have long shared the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. Eight million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada, and one-in-seven Canadian jobs depend on trade with the U.S. In 2010 alone, our trade reached over $645 billion, representing $1.7B per day crossing our borders. This is why our relationship and this initiative are so important to our respective economies.
Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced this initiative in February of 2011 and officials from both countries have been hard at work developing the Border Action Plan. We are working together to pursue creative and effective solutions to better manage the flow of traffic between our borders; not just of people, but trade and investment, while still enhancing security measures. We are hopeful the Border Action Plan will be presented back to the Leaders in short order.
DC: The proposed Keystone pipeline project, which will be a $7 billion energy corridor running from Alberta to Texas, is currently being reviewed by and ultimately up to the State Department. Secretary Clinton mentioned the review process during your mutual press conference. Do you think that the environmental concerns centered on the construction and maintenance of this pipeline are overblown?
JB: The Keystone XL Pipeline is one of great economic significance to Canada. We are confident that safety and environmental issues to be examined during the final review period conducted by the State Department can be fully addressed in a satisfactory manner.
The Government of Canada respects the U.S. permit process for this important project. We are firmly committed to a safe, secure, highly regulated, and integrated pipeline system between Canada and the United States that will contribute to North American energy security and economic prosperity for decades to come.
DC: What would be the costs of not pursuing this pipeline, for Canada, the U.S., and the region, respectively?
JB: The economy continues to be our government’s number one priority. Keystone XL will create high-paying jobs in Canada and the U.S. during its construction and thousands more over the life of the pipeline. Oil sands development is expected to contribute on average $8.4 billion to the U.S GDP, while if the pipeline is approved, this number is expected to grow to $14.4 billion.
The economic recovery is still fragile, and projects like this can help support our recovery.
DC: As the USA’s largest trading partner and one of our most significant allies, you clearly keep up with the recent happenings on Capitol Hill, the administration’s fiscal policies, and last but not least, S&P’s recent downgrade of our credit rating. Given that economics has come to play an increasingly important role in foreign policy, how do Washington’s maneuvers within the global political economy affect your own professional duties and responsibilities?
JB: Over the last few days, financial markets have reacted to the uncertainty generated by the U.S. fiscal challenges, concerns about U.S. growth and the continuing debt problems in Europe.
We continue to see positive job numbers here in Canada, and our budgetary position is among the strongest in the world. However, we have continued to warn that the global economy remains fragile, and that Canadian jobs, and securing our recovery must be, and continues to be our government’s number one priority. Although we are well positioned to face these challenges, as a trading nation, we must remain vigilant.
DC: As the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan draws down, how are you ensuring that Canada’s own contributions to the war achieve their strategic objectives?
JB: Our armed forces continue to make significant contributions in Afghanistan as we help train the Afghan National Security Forces still while promoting regional diplomacy and delivering humanitarian assistance.
Through our time in Afghanistan we have helped build schools in Kandahar Province, rehabilitate the Dahla Dam irrigation system, and contributed to the eradication of polio.
Canada’s ultimate aim has been and continues to be to help Afghans rebuild Afghanistan into a country that is better governed, more stable and secure, and never again a safe haven for terrorists.
DC: Do you see any inconsistency with the foreign policy approaches that Canada and the U.S. have taken with regards to the individual cases of Libya and Syria? Please explain.
JB: I cannot speak on behalf of the United States, but what I can tell you is that as members of the Contact Group on Libya, Canada and the United States support the leading role of the United Nations in facilitating dialogue and the political transition process reflecting the aspirations of the Libyan people. There’s significant unity in our purpose, and we want to pursue any political settlement for Gadhafi to go.
In terms of the violence in Syria, Canada continues to stand with the Syrian people in their calls for real reforms. We have continuously said that Assad must stop the violence against his own people, end the impunity of his security forces, and engage in genuine reform or leave.
I stated on August 3 that Canada welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Assad regime. We will continue to work with the international community and like-minded countries such as the United States to pressure the Assad regime to stop the assault on its own people. The Syrian people demand and deserve better from their government.
DC: How will your government’s engagement with China include pressure to reform and improve Beijing’s human rights record?
JB: Canada and China share a strong and multidimensional strategic partnership. China is our second largest trading partner, and we continue to cooperate widely on many social issues. However, like with any friendship, we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. We continues to press China on a range of human rights issues at every opportunity, but we do so in a frank and respectful manner.
Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to express Canadian values abroad, like democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and that’s what we do at every opportunity.
DC: Both Ottawa and Washington are opposing a move by PA President Mahmoud Abbas to gain UN recognition for a state of Palestine in September. Can you explain the reasoning behind your opposition to such a vote?
JB; Our government's long-standing position has been very clear. We are committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East whereby two states live side-by-side in peace and security. Any two state solution must be negotiated and mutually agreed upon by both states. One of the states must be a Jewish state and recognized as such, while the Palestinian state is to be a non-militarized one. I can tell you that, as G-8 leaders declared at Deauville, supported by Prime Minister Harper, unilateral action is ultimately unhelpful to the Middle East Peace Process.
