PM puts forward Canada’s case for seat on powerful UN security council
Posted September 23, 2010 3:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper went all out in his bid to win a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In a major speech before the world body Thursday afternoon – Harper pulled on a number of strings.
He used his speech to remind delegates of the “heavy price” Canada continues to pay as part of the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan – both in terms of lives lost and money spent.
Harper also spoke of Canada’s early role in developing the international body.
“As a founding member of the UN and its seventh largest contributor to its finances – Canada has been a consistently reliable and responsible participant in UN initiatives around the world,” he said.
The PM’s speech was designed to press Canada’s case for one of two available seats on the 15-member council of the UN’s most powerful decision-making body.
The security council is in charge of keeping international peace and security. It has the power to establish peacekeeping operations and international sanctions, along with the ability to authorize military action.
Canada is up against Germany and Portugal to secure one of the seats for 2011-12.
