DAVOS 2014: Canada’s Low Profile and Opportunities Missed

Every year the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos, Switzerland attracts big names from various countries – from politics, industry, media, not-for-profit organizations to international organizations. This forum provides an excellent platform for these people to put forward their views to a powerful set of attendees.

This year was no exception in terms of big-wigs turning up at Davos. US was represented, among others, by Secretary of State John Kerry who was at pains to explain that US is not withdrawing from international stage. UK was represented by PM and Deputy PM. Japan’s Prime Minister attended and caused ripples with certain remarks. There was high profile presence from other G-7 nations, namely, Germany, France and Italy.

But what about Canada - the remaining country from G-7? There were only two speakers - Elissa Golberg, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, Geneva and Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary. There were 6 other Canadian nationals who spoke but they spoke on behalf of other countries’ organizations, e.g., Mark Carney was representing Bank of England.

So, why this low key, low profile representation from Canada? Ms Elissa spoke about humanitarian crisis in Syria – this was okay, it was in consonance with the big aid declared by PM Harper during his visit to mid-east in January 2014. But with no senior Canadian minister present in Davos, Canada missed an opportunity to:

·       Articulate its views on international politics (including, Middle East);

·       Put forward its views on global economic issues toward global economic turnaround;

·       Make a strong pitch for Canada as a solid investment destination;

·       Have bilateral discussions and achieve headway in flushing out some agreement outlines.

It is worth mentioning here that Mexico used Davos 2014 opportunity to wrap up investment agreements of around 7 Billion Dollars. Others, like, Japan PM Abe articulated some remarks which are bound to be followed closely in the backdrop of Pacific Rim politics.

It seems the current federal folks in Ottawa like to follow the policy of lying low, especially, when the opinion polls in Canada are currently not too favorable towards the ruling Conservatives. The strategists of Conservatives probably think that the more you stay out of news, you stay out of trouble. This concept, actually, is predicated on escapism – ostrich like attitude (put your head in the sand and you think nobody is watching you).

But high profile attendance at Davos would have had little impact on domestic politics and election fortunes of 2015. In fact, if some senior minister of Canada had attended and made statesmanlike articulations, it would have been well received at home. Not only that, such articulations would have furthered Canada’s economic agenda as well as enhanced its stature as an important player at international stage.

The rule of international image building and its maintenance is simple: if you lie low, you slowly fade away from public mind; people start ignoring you and your pronouncements, if you make any, do not carry that much weight. Canada might resent being treated as something like a non-entity by its neighbor in the south but if US does treat Canada like this, part of fault lies with Canada too – this kind of low profile attendance (of Canada) at important international forums like Davos adds to shrinking of stature and ebbing of gravitas.  

Political issues at home just do not go away even if one lies low – the political adversaries just won’t allow them to go away. The domestic issues need to be confronted at home with suitable counter strategy, and not showing up at Davos at similar levels as of your peers should not certainly be part of any such strategy.

The world’s 11^th largest economy need not feel shy or apologetic toward making a strong presence in international forums – it is absolutely important and beneficial for a country like Canada to project what values, principles it stands for, the leadership qualities that it can bring to play at international stage and so on. All these contribute to the image a country projects internationally and it has many potential spin-offs – near-term and long-term.

Some opposition parties and/or section of Canadian media who are not favorably disposed toward the party in power in Ottawa may try to present attendance at such forums as wastage of tax-payers money, but then there would always be some insular minded, dim witted schmucks to nit-pick – they need to be brushed aside with the contempt they deserve.

Hopefully, Canada would make a stronger presence next time at Davos and other important international forums and won’t let go any opportunity, which have the potential to project Canada’s image, pass by. This would be in the interest of Canada and Canadians as a whole.