Canada should think for itself: Byers
UBC professor, author discusses Afghanistan, climate change at series of talks in Winnipeg
Mattabra, Staff
“There is nothing more irresponsible than sending soldiers into an impossible mission except keeping them there.” That was the message of Michael Byers, a UBC politics professor, journalist, and author, as he spoke at the Fort Garry Hotel on Oct. 4.
Byers used his recently published book Intent For A Nation: What is Canada For? as a basis to explain why the peacekeeping mission is not working. He also noted the need for alternate methods of approach and made a call for the swift removal of Canadian soldiers from Afghanistan.
The talk was part of a series of events organized by Peace Alliance Winnipeg to mark the six-year anniversary of the presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
Byers, a professor at the Liu Institute of Global Issues at UBC, holds a Canada Research Chair in global politics and international law. He said he was “genuinely pleased to be here,” being a former prairie dweller himself — Byers grew up in rural Saskatchewan.
The talk was well attended by advocates both for and against the use of force in peacekeeping situations. Byers conceded that the ratio swung a bit more in his favour, but emphasized that he is willing to speak with people all across the ideological spectrum.
Following his initial remarks Byers took time to engage in a dialogue with the crowd and said, “I hope to leave here tonight having learned something new.”
Byers admitted to initially supporting Canada’s role in Afghanistan when it was a joint effort involving Canadian, British, and U.S. forces. It is now Byers’ stance that Canada should not abandon Afghanistan and instead, switch focus and look for another way.
The Afghanistan talk was only “one particular part of the larger message” according to Byers. As well, it was only one of two talks that he would give during his stay in Winnipeg.
The other talk, which took place at the University of Manitoba on Oct. 5, spoke to what Byers believes is the most significant challenge facing humanity today — climate change.
“We are now seeing a rate of climate change which is beyond the worst case models of climatologists, and Canada is on the front line, because 40 per cent of our country is Arctic,” he informed his audience, stressing the gravity of the situation and that Canada is well-positioned to lead the fight.
Despite the varying range of his discussion topics, all of Byers’ arguments served to fortify his ultimate assertion that “Canada is an independent nation with its own values, and as an independent nation we have a responsibility to do our own analysis of every pending issue.”
Byers said that his hope for these individual talks is to provide a basis for people to form or improve their own arguments, whether they agree with him or not.
When asked what university students can do to help, he was straightforward: “The world is a complicated place, but students should realize that the complexity should not be a deterrent from speaking out. Always ask tough questions, and don’t allow yourself to be sold wholesale goods.”
He emphasized, “You must never assume that you lack influence.”
