Carleton graduate and New Democratic Party (NDP) leadership candidate Niki Ashton introduced her foreign policy platform before members of the Carleton New Democrats and local media Jan. 25 in Robertson Hall.
Switching between English and French, Ashton discussed her proposed foreign policy plan if elected leader of the NDP. One of the major points Ashton spoke about was the creation of a government department called Solidarity Canada, which would work towards improving human rights and the economic well-being of people living in the global South, especially with nations in Africa.
“This department would be responsible for conducting the whole business of caring for the poor in Canada as well as in the world,” Ashton said.
“It would ensure that Canada would give the promised funds to world aid organizations and it would be an example for other wealthy nations to go by.”
Ashton criticized the current government’s model for global aid, citing the government’s insertion of ideology into international aid programs.
“CIDA (the Canadian International Development Agency) has been weakened under the leadership of Bev Oda and Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanks to the ideology of the Conservative government,” Ashton said.
“The Conservatives have broken promises to the people of Africa who are exploited by Canadian companies and to the Palestinians who are often neglected in favour of Israel.”
Solidarity Canada would also work towards increasing Canada’s role in diplomatic circles rather than military circles.
“Stephen Harper is increasingly stepping outside of Canada’s traditional role by increasing military spending, militarizing the Arctic, and plunging us into a new cold war mentality where Canadians are made to feel threatened,” she said.
“Canada, however, is a nation for peace and diplomatic solutions to conflicts.”
Ashton said the NDP had a long history of opposing wars while supporting soldiers in returning to civilian life when they return home from these wars.
“We believe that when a war ends, we need to support our troops by giving them opportunities for working in Canada as well as providing them with the means to treat their wounds, especially post-traumatic stress disorders.”
When asked to compare the NDP leadership race to the Republican leadership race in the United States, Ashton said the NDP candidates know that tearing each other apart isn’t going to help the winner compete against the Conservatives in the upcoming federal election.
“I think we all acknowledge that we are all New Democrats, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to try and distinguish ourselves from each other.”
