An analysis of International Assistance policy continuity between the Harper Conservatives and the Trudeau Liberals regarding United Nations Security Council campaigns
Creators: name: Schierman, Wyatt
Publisher: name: Faculty of Graduate Studies
Year: 2018

description: The analysis of the capstone research project is to analyze both policy differences between the Harper Conservatives and the Trudeau Liberals within international assistance, as well as the influence of international assistance within Canada’s campaign to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The research into these questions involved assessing the frequently cited criticisms the Harper government received back in 2010 for its international assistance policies, as well as the changes to the international assistance file that were concluded by the Trudeau administration after the departmental review that was conducted. One of the most reoccurring criticisms over the Harper government’s international assistance policies included the limited spending of Official Development Assistance (ODA), first occurring under the Chretien Liberals, and carrying on through to the Conservative near-decade in government. Another was the Conservative’s decision to prioritize Latin America countries over many of those on the African continent, after the 2009 ‘Countries of Focus’ list. The capstone project will analyze the responses, if any, the Trudeau government has had to address these issues in the run up to their own campaign for a UNSC seat. In response to these policy decisions, the Trudeau government has not proven nearly as transformational as its aspiring rhetoric may suggest. ODA spending remains low as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI), even lower than the average accrued under the 9 years of the Harper government. Furthermore, while the Trudeau Liberals have eliminated the Harper government’s controversial ‘Countries of Focus’ list and have promised to allocate more assistance to sub-Saharan Africa, its policy actions have largely been consistent with that of its predecessor regarding international assistance. In fact, the Trudeau government’s most significant policy announcement, which established Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, was regarded by academics and pundits in the media to be one largely in tune with that of the Conservatives, albeit with a different branding focus. The literature review that was conducted helped reinforce the belief that international assistance was both an important component to Canada’s reputation abroad as well as a defining factor in 2010 for the loss of a number of votes in the UNSC election that year. However, while international assistance was an important component, one in which the government has publicly cited as a major campaign platform in the ensuing UNSC election in 2020, it has limited capacity and is one of many factors that determines success. Research into previous elections by Western European and Others Group (WEOG), have shown as much. In a number of elections over the past decades, the candidate states with the lowest ODA spending frequently defeated their competitors, who were at times significantly more generous with their aid. With the campaign already underway for a UNSC seat, due to commence in June 2020, the Canadian government will have limited options to pursue if it’s international assistance policies are to contend with those of Norway and Ireland, its two competitors. With no new added financial resources, the government will have to depend on the successful marketing of its Feminist International Assistance Policy while relying on its promises of reallocating aid to sub-Saharan Africa, perhaps to help regain support that was lost in the 2010 election. Needless to say, these numerous challenges provide no greater certainty towards the success of Canada’s bid on the UNSC.