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The Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government has made it clear that re-engaging with the United Nations, and returning to a multi-lateral approach more generally, will be a key aspect of its foreign policy. Canadians were reminded of this last week, when the Prime Minister, on a visit to the UN building in New York City, announced that Canada would make a bid for a seat on the UN Security Council for a two-year term, beginning in 2021.

“We are determined to help the UN make even greater strides in support of its goals for all humanity,” the Prime Minister said during his visit. “My friends, it’s time. It’s time for Canada to step up once again.”

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Canada’s back, as it were. No surprise here. Ask any even moderately attuned political observer what a Liberal government is likely to do, and spend a lot of time thinking about and working with the United Nations would probably make their top-10 lists. Just days after the Prime Minister made his visit and his pledge, however, a senior UN official took to the opinion pages of The New York Times to tear into the organization he’s spent his life serving … and that Canada is about “step up” to once again.