Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland speaks after receiving the Foreign Policy's Diplomat of the Year 2018 award on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press
Reader response to: From Canada, to our U.S. friends: Might is not always right, adapted from an acceptance speech by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland on receiving Foreign Policy’s Diplomat of the Year award on June 13
I am glad that Canada is represented by such a capable minister as Chrystia Freeland - India November
Lucid and illuminating, Foreign Minister Freeland is without doubt the right top Diplomat at this point in time. She stands up and speaks for our values as Canadians, showing up the fallacy of the current US efforts to bully even allies into submission on trade policies. - Samkamp
There are two individuals not aligned with my political viewpoint that I have to admit I have, what might be called, a ‘grudging respect’ for; Ms. Notley in Alberta and Ms. Freeland. While I could never see myself voting for the New Democrats even led by Ms. Notley, but perhaps a Liberal party led by Ms. Freeland could persuade me. (I did say perhaps.) Both have demonstrated strong leadership qualities and earned at least my respect. - DRYBURGH6
Very well written but I think if “capital is global” but social welfare is national then that creates a situation where nations would race to serve productivity rather then humanity. That is the essence of what has caused populism. The solution is to tie things like environmental, democratic, and labour rights to trade deals! I do believe that the Liberals have been trying to do that in Mexico which I think is brilliant. That is what i’d call Fair Trade! - AshleyBP
Smart woman.... glad she’s on our side. That being said, her argument might appeal to professors in the Ivy League schools, NY Times and Washington Post readers, but the guy sitting in his trailer who’s been out of work for eight months... he doesn’t gives a rat’s behind about well-written arguments. He wants to be entertained and that’s what Trump does best. - Klens75
In response to Klens75:
Klens75,Ms. Freeland acknowledges that the fact free, nihilist, demagogue’s way may appeal to some of the people some of the time (especially to people consumed by a sense of grievance justified or otherwise). Her point, however, is that we must persist in addressing the ills of our societies in inclusive, lawful & democratic ways or we will only make matters worse for all, including those tempted to give up on liberal democracy.She makes that case very well. - bob adamson
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The PSAC president is speaking the most sense of the crew, and that’s because he’s probably the only one getting unfiltered information on this debacle. The wrangling about firing or not firing, and which political party, and so on, is largely immaterial. The real issue, as Mr. Aylward has indicated, is to uncover “the cultural and systemic problems” which caused this fiasco. It’s far more important that our existing public service execute efficiently and well, than to just figure out where to make cuts. Too much emphasis on spending and budgets, and not enough on performance and execution. - slofstra
The fact that they were not fired speaks volumes about the public service always protecting their own. Disgusting. - Candace248
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