LONDON, Ont. 鈥� Justin Trudeau says a Liberal government would start re-engaging sa国际传媒 with the world by signing a landmark global treaty to regulate the arms trade.
The Conservative government鈥檚 refusal to sign the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty is an example of how Stephen Harper鈥檚 penchant for going it alone in the world has reduced sa国际传媒鈥檚 global voice, he said.
鈥淢r. Harper hasn鈥檛 seemed to notice that the fact that he shouts loudly on the world stage doesn鈥檛 offset the fact that nobody鈥檚 listening much to sa国际传媒 any more,鈥� Trudeau said at a morning rally in support of candidates in the London area.
The New Democrats have also called on the Harper government to sign the treaty that came into force on Dec. 24, 2014.
It seeks to regulate the international trade in conventional weaponry from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.
The federal government has yet to sign and has raised concerns over how it would affect gun owners in sa国际传媒.
The country鈥檚 recreational firearms industry has strongly lobbied the government to opt out of the treaty, saying it could lead to a return of the federal long-gun registry.
The treaty has been signed by many Canadian allies including the U.S., which has hugely influential gun lobby.
Secretary of State John Kerry has said the treaty would not affect the rights of American gun owners.
As he did during the recent leaders鈥� debate on foreign policy, Trudeau said he would move sa国际传媒 back towards its traditional role as an active player in multilateral institutions, including the UN.
He referred to sa国际传媒鈥檚 historic loss in 2010 to tiny, economically-battered Portugal for a temporary, two-year seat on UN Security Council, saying a Liberal government 鈥渨ould certainly make sure we don鈥檛 lose an election to join the Security Council at the United Nations.鈥�
The Harper government has said previously it isn鈥檛 considering another run for the Security Council, where sa国际传媒 has served six times, about once a decade, since the UN was formed in 1945.
Trudeau said the government鈥檚 approach impacts sa国际传媒鈥檚 influence in places as distant from each other as the Middle East and the Arctic.
鈥渟a国际传媒 needs to be once again a constructive actor on the world stage focusing on our national interests, which include security and stability in places like the Middle East.鈥�
sa国际传媒 could best help check actions such as Russian President Vladimir Putin鈥檚 decision to bomb targets in Syria by joining in with its allies, he said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why sa国际传媒 needs to once again re-engage as a robust and helpful member of the international community. That鈥檚 where we have to turn it around by re-engaging as a strong partner in international efforts to hold bullies like Vladimir Putin to account.鈥�
Actions such as accepting more Syrian refugees would also boost sa国际传媒鈥檚 clout, Trudeau added.
The Liberal leader鈥檚 comments came as Montreal La Presse endorsed him in an editorial.
鈥淭his choice is motivated a lot by Justin Trudeau鈥檚 leadership style,鈥� the newspaper said. 鈥淐ontrary to Mr. Harper and, to a certain degree, Mr. Mulcair, Mr. Trudeau believes in a constructive notion of politics.
鈥淚nstead of exploiting division and prejudice, he believes in dialogue and looks for consensus and compromise. He avoids personal attacks. He likes people and people like him in return. There is some Laurier in him.鈥�
The newspaper said Trudeau has shown he is ready.
鈥淎fter 10 years of a destructive government that lives on meanness and narrow-mindedness, sa国际传媒 needs a government based on intelligence, dialogue and optimism. That is why La Presse is hoping that Justin Trudeau鈥檚 Liberal party is elected.鈥�
The newspaper supported the Liberals in 1993, 1997 and 2000 and the last time it backed a party was in 2006, when it endorsed the Conservatives.
The Liberal leader flew to Fredericton later on Wednesday to address students at St. Thomas University on voter engagement.
The riding is currently held by the Tories but polls suggest the Liberals could make a much-needed breakthrough in the region.
