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EESTI ELU reedel, 29. novembril 2019 — Friday, November 29, 2019
Chrystia Freeland should have remained Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada cannot afford to be placing its foreign policy in the hands of anyone other than the very best Marcus Kolga, Maclean’s, November 2019 Thirty years ago, when the Berlin wall fell, the Western world believed it had arrived at what Francis Fukuyama termed the “end of history,” where liberal democracy triumphed over totalitarian ism. Yet today, Western democracies have not faced a greater threat to peace, sta bility and freedom since the end of the Cold War. As Prime Minister Trudeau has now unveiled the composi tion of his new cabinet, the shuffles and new appointments reflect subtle changes in Ottawa’s approach to key files. While only time will tell the wisdom of these changes, what’s clear is that moving Minister Chrystia Freeland off foreign affairs is both perplexing and worrying. There are a litany of reasons for keeping her in the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs, and there are no obvious reasons to be removing her. At a time when Canada and the Western liberal order face significant and growing chal lenges, few other members of Liberal caucus possess the same level of understanding, ex perience in foreign policy or the network that Chrystia Freeland has. Over the past years, Minister Freeland has reestab
lished Canada as a global leader on many important international issues, including human rights, democratic values and the defence our allies. Rising populist extremism among our allies and around the world requires that Canada maintain a strong and principled foreign policy, which inspires mutual respect and does not bend to intimidation by authori tarian regimes in China, Russia or Iran. The threat is existential. Without experienced leadership, the cohesion of the alliances that we rely upon could suc cumb to the rot that Moscow and Beijing relentlessly try to inject us with. Since being asked to help correct Canada’s rudderless and listless foreign policy in 2017, Chrystia Freeland has been lauded by our allies, activists, and Liberals, Conservatives and NDP alike, for her principled and determined foreign policy. Minister Freeland does have her share of critics. She has faced ongoing online attacks from Russian and Chinese government trolls and propa gandists. She has also been cri ticized by groups with business interests in states like Russia, Iran and China for allowing relations with those states to deteriorate at the cost of stand ing up for human rights and other core Canadian values.
Some have also complained about the government’s ten dency for “virtue signalling” and accused them of possible missteps in the application of our foreign policy, whether its vocal criticism of Saudi Arabia that resulted in a Saudi back lash, or being too soft on China, leaving them unprepared against China’s response to Meng Wanzhou’s arrest. Yet much of these criticisms are overstated. Accusations of virtue signalling overlooks the substance underlying Canadian foreign policy. Complaints about our approach to Saudi Arabia have largely ebbed in the after math of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. While falling short of applying targeted Magnitsky sanctions against Chinese offi cials who have enabled the repression of over one-million Uyghurs, Chrystia Freeland consistently stood-up to China. She gathered the support of allies in our spat with Beijing and criticized China for its human rights abuses in Xinjiang. In August, Minister Freeland issued a joint statement with our European allies on the situation in Hong Kong. When some senior Liberals called on the government to acquiesce to Chinese demands to cancel Meng’s extradition, she person ally rebuked the suggestion. Ultimately, the chorus of foreign and domestic leaders who have praised her leadership on foreign affairs has overpowered any
Let’s Celebrate Christmas – the Estonian Way! Some people dream of a white Christmas and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, some dream of Kringel, Verivorst and Jõuluvana. Don’t just dream about it, join the celebration! Come to an Estonian Christmas/Rahvajõulupuu on December 7 from 12–4 at the Toronto Estonian House. Here’s a snapshot of what you will find at the 8th Annual Rahvajõulupuu Party:
E sto everything – every organization with a table to visit, every traditional treat, and lots of crafts and shopping.
S anta, Santa, Santa – for holiday spirit and lots of photos – of kids, of families and YOU! T errific Food – a great buffet of traditional Estonian items included with admission – and
to purchase and take home for your own Christmas feast.
O h so very lovely to bump into old friends – and make new ones! Come one, come all! P erformances – singing and folk dancing by kindergarten kids, by Estonian school stu-
dents, Kungla and Kõla Orkester and even by local Esto talent.
criticism. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who has known Minister Freeland for 30 years – a testament to her per sonal global network – “was overjoyed to hear she had be come Canada’s foreign minis ter,” he said. “She has repeatedly demonstrated her superior grasp of the issues and thus is re spected and indeed envied by Western leaders, and thus is a huge asset for Canada and the liberal democratic order.” For example, no other member of Parliament has the same depth of understanding of the Putin regime as Freeland, who was Moscow Bureau chief for the Financial Times. In 2017, Chrystia Freeland worked with the opposition to unanimously pass groundbreak ing Conservative-sponsored le gislation that allows Canada to place targeted economic sanc tions and visa bans on corrupt foreign human rights abuses – the Magnitsky Act in honour of Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. British political activist and financier Bill Browder credits Chrystia Freeland’s “intellect, charm and moral leadership” as the driving force behind the global Magnitsky campaign. When the rumours first arose that Freeland was set to be moved to another portfolio, Browder warned that “it would be a shame for Canada to lose that influence at such a danger ous moment in world history.” Now that Prime Minister Trudeau’s cards are on the table, it appears that the PMO failed to heed the advice of
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Browder, along with a chorus of other foreign policy experts. Chrystia Freeland is likely to import her successes to her new portfolio on intergovernmental relations. This is another hot file that will benefit from her deft management. There is no obvious reason to blindly assert that the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, FrançoisPhilippe Champagne, could not build on Freeland’s principled work, so long as the new Minister does not act on advice that promotes appeasement towards Moscow and Beijing. However, it is both dangerous and unwise to begin experi menting with Canadian foreign policy, with so much uncertainty affecting our allies, and the ongoing threats to our interests from malign regimes in other parts of the world. Canada cannot afford to be placing its foreign policy in the hands of anyone other than the very best. With so many complex and demanding challenges, Canada should have stayed the course with its leadership on foreign affairs. Prime Minister Trudeau would be wise to seek out his new Deputy PM’s advice on foreign policy, in order to main tain Canada’s leadership posi tion on critical files, among them human rights, and Russia, NATO, China, Venezuela, and U.S. relations. Marcus Kolga is a strategic digital communications strategist, human rights activist and expert on foreign disinformation. He is a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Centre of Advancing Canadian Interests Abroad.
Martin Veltmann wins Toronto Estonian Chess Club Fall chess tournament The Toronto Estonian Chess Club held their 5 round Fall Active Swiss system tourna ment (30 minutes per player) on November 23rd, at the Estonian Baptist Church. Seven players entered the tournament with the hope of winning at the “Game of Kings”. Martin Veltmann won first place with a perfect 5 points. Second place went to Jaak Triefeldt with 4 points and third place went to Jaak Järve with 3.5 points The rest of the field results were as follows: Ernest Sinko 1.5 points
Mati Saastamoinen 1.5 points Brandon Iannuzzi 1 point Mai Vomm Järve 1 point Thank you to Mai Kipper from the Estonian Baptist Church who was our gracious host for our fall chess tourna ment and who made sure we had hot coffee throughout the tournament. The next active tournament will be in April of next year. If you are interested in playing chess and participating in our tournaments please contact Jaak Jarve at 416-222-9445 or email jaakjarve@aol.com. JAAK JÄRVE
A ctivities – Bouncy Castle for kids and the Pub for adults. Try the shooting range, or just enjoy a coffee and watch the stage.
R eally nice Christmas songs – to enjoy and sing along, led by Ööbik choir! T ons of fun and togetherness, great door prizes, 50/50 fundraiser for our community. Y uletide gifts from amazing vendors and loads of community spirit! ! Crazy Christmas Sweater contest! Wear your craziest Christmas apparel for the NEW
addition to the festive mix!
This is the perfect casual event for everyone – eat, drink and be merry – Estonian style! Let’s get together and celebrate the beginning of the festive season together! Doors are open for you and your family – no language required! Just bring your festive Esto spirit! Buy your tickets today! $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Children under 12 and in Estonian school free, but still need a ticket. Tickets and information at Estonian Credit Union or www.estonianfoundation.ca
The champions: Jaak Järve – 3rd place, Martin Veltmann – 1st place, Jaak Triefeldt – 2nd place.
