Stephen Harper: Little Fish, Big Pond

It is all so penny-wise and pound foolish, especially for a country that once prided itself on punching above its weight and, more important, understood that this is a relatively small country with huge international interests. Now, Canada has retreated into an anglospheric worldview coupled with a focus on trade deals, but lacking any sense of a wider conception of international affairs.

Hectoring and lecturing undoubtedly appeals to the Conservative Party's core voters. It does not impress other governments, including friendly ones.

After all of his Machivellian planning, wooing ethnic voters, carefully building wedges between voter blocks and a never-ending attack on the personalities, values and family history of opponents, Harper has his majority.  That was what he was after – a chance to be The Man, get revenge for past rebukes and show those who have mocked him his whole life who’s boss.

It’s beyond tragic that as soon as he got that majority, Harper gave up his Machiavellian cunning; instead of strategically strengthening Canada’s already influential position on the world stage, he essentially morphed himself from bully to petulant.  Harper is trying to be tough in a traditional sense at a time where long-game strategic collaboration with partners is increasingly the way forward.  Because he’s so determined to not have anyone tell him what to do, directly, he is completely blind to the subtle forces leading him around by the nose.

Far from becoming a power player, Harper is turning Canada into a global farce, a shadow of what we once were.

Do Canadians care?  Not enough.  At least not yet.  None of this resonates in our daily lives in directly observable ways.  Equally, we have no alternative.

Here’s where a significant opportunity lies for a renewed Liberal Party – to step up to the plate in the global game and bring Canadians along with them.  The eventual new Liberal Leader should be unafraid to speak out about global issues that directly and indirectly impact Canada which, as the world’s most diverse country, can and should serve as a model for how the world can succeed together.

But what is the example that Canada sets?  Who are we, what do we stand for, what do we bring to the table?  We aren’t going to compete militarily with the US, let alone China.  Yes, we have natural resources, but so do many places, and Africa is going to be the big playing field tomorrow – not us, unless it’s over food security and fresh water.

Canada should exemplify the best of what the world has to offer – in terms of a diverse economic base, a rich culture that blends and builds on our rich multiculturalism and focuses on developing win-win scenarios for all nations.  In one phrase – strength through diversity.

Today, more than ever, Canada needs a leader with vision - one who isn't trying to be a small fish in a big pond, but who will serve as as a river to their people.