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After three years of observing Justin Trudeau’s approach to prime ministering, it should be obvious to Canadians why the Liberal leader puts such weight on obtaining a seat on the UN Security Council.

It’s a temporary position, lasting just two years. It’s one of 10 secondary seats, subservient to the five permanent members — China, Russia, Britain, France and the U.S. — that enjoy veto power. It’s mostly symbolic, given that any of the five can arbitrarily overrule the other 14. The chief attraction is an opportunity to deliver stirring declarations on matters of high principle, regardless of whether concrete action ensues.

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It is, in other words, the essence of Justin Trudeau’s personality and politics.

It is, in other words, the essence of Justin Trudeau’s personality and politics

The prime minister has been campaigning for the next available seat since he took office. He publicly declared his intentions in March 2016 after a visit to Ottawa by the UN secretary-general. “It’s time for Canada to step up once again,” he proclaimed, echoing the Liberal contention that Canada had somehow ceased to exist as a country of note during the previous decade of Conservative rule.