Canada has developed a stellar global reputation over the past decades as an independent voice of moderation, multilateralism and diplomacy. Just in recent history, Canada led global efforts to ban land mines, to establish the International Criminal Court and to champion the concept of “Responsibility to Protect” where governments have a moral and legal responsibility to protect their citizens and if and when they fail to do so, the global community would step in to protect them.

Canada has always been a moral leader, where our credibility was as influential as military super powers’. The international community always looked up to Canada and has requested our intervention and help in resolving sticky matters.

Canada rejected to participate in invading Iraq, was a leader in helping Tsunami victims, jumped to help Pakistan when hit by a severe earthquake and has tried to maintain a principled position on various conflicts around the world.

Now, it appears that most of that credibility is being diminished by the Stephen Harper government.

The Globe and Mail reported this week that while Canada is interested in being elected to a seat on the United Nations Security Council, it appears that its chances of being chosen are not that strong. UN member nations get to vote in members of the Security Council and there are reports that Canada may not win enough votes if it pursues a seat. This is quite surprising, given that in the past many countries would have been asking Canada to be on the Security Council.

Ever since Stephen Harper became Canada’s prime minister, Canada’s foreign policy has experienced dramatic shifts and is no longer seen as an independent voice. Canada now takes identical positions to the US on almost all controversial issues; in fact some could argue that Canada has gone further.

Under Harper, Canada has abandoned balanced, smart and productive roles toward the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, China and Sri Lanka, but hypocritically is willing to sign a free trade agreement with Colombia, an oppressive government with a right- wing ideology. Canada is no longer consistent in speaking out for all of its citizens that are caught in difficult situations abroad. Harper selectively picks and chooses who deserves their full rights as citizens. Canada is also absent from playing a leading role in disaster relief efforts in Burma and in China in the aftermath of two severe natural disasters. Lebanon is on the verge of a civil war and Canada has little influence in calming tension there after Stephen Harper refused to support calls for cease-fire in the 2006 Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Canada is also reluctant to support efforts for the creation of an international treaty that would ban cluster bombs.

Historically, Canada has offered the world well respected foreign affairs ministers like Lester Pearson, Lloyd Axworthy and Bill Graham. Now Maxime Bernier, our current foreign affairs minister, can barely deal with his own controversies.

Canadians have always been extremely proud of Canada’s global reputation. Stephen Harper, regrettably, has squandered much of that credibility in just over two years. Canada, through its own cultural diversity, has learned so much from the world, and has been able to offer so much back. There is a strong desire that many Canadians have to restore Canada’s independent voice. I am confident that this desire will be expressed during the next election.