Trudeau to hold UN meeting for Security Council Seat. How much will it cost Canada?

In preparation for the June 17th vote for the UN Security Council seat, prime minister Justin Trudeau is set to co-host a meeting on COVID-19 with allies on the global stage 

The desire for a Security Council seat has never alluded Trudeau as a primary foreign policy objective. Since 2015, he competed with Norway and Ireland for a spot despite his late bid for the seat.

The quest for the UN seat has sparked anger and frustration amongst Canadians, inquiring as to its meaning and the value of the UN Security Council.

The official response from the Liberal Party is it “boosts our international credibility,” but Canada is not a new nation-state with few allies. Our reputation precedes us internationally, owing mainly to our efforts in the World Wars and more significant consideration to defending human rights.

But what does this cost Canadian taxpayers?

According to Aaron Wudrick, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, “This is absolutely not a good use of money.” 

He writes, “It’s also tough to argue this is a high priority for Canadians given everything else that is going on.”

“I wrote this piece about the UNSC campaign this three years ago, and I stand by the arguments in it.”

Whether for “prestige” amongst elite circles or to sway votes locally, Wudrick believes most are opposed to the prime minister’s pursuit.

“We can debate how much and where we spent foreign aid dollars,” says Wudrick, “but I am confident the overwhelming majority of Canadians would agree campaigning for a UN Security Council seat is not the best use of that money.”

If past increases in foreign aid are any indication, more of the same is likely to coincide with this meeting.

Earlier in the year, when Trudeau was galivanting around Africa, despite the internal turmoil of the blockades, he promised 10 million dollars to the African Union for gender equality. 

The Liberals have given US$219 million in aid to international bureaucrats under the guise of “fighting Coronavirus.”

This at a time where our economy is struggling, unemployment is rampant, our debt is out of control, and many Canadians, including political parties, relying on subsidies from the federal government.