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Question 4: Security

In promoting the security of Canadians, where should our priorities lie? Should Canada give a higher priority to military combat operations? To sectors such as intelligence gathering and analysis? Or should we focus on broader security measures, such as combatting environmental degradation and the spread of infectious disease? What should be our distinctive role in promoting global security?

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Contributor:	1903
Date:	2003-05-01 17:52:55
Answer:
Priorities shift with a changing environment. The use of force can only be justified as a last resort and in very special circumstances. Canada has always been a nation known for its peacekeeping missions and its commitment to peace. Military preparedness and combat should not be one of our priorities. Intelligence and analysis in a supporting role would appear to be far more consistent with Canadian values and its role in the world. Security can be achieved through mutual undertanding and agreement with our neighbours. The most distinctive role for Canada should be to focus our efforts through the UN and provide the necessary initiative to address the resolution of global security issues (There are some 50 regional conflicts across the globe) that fail to be addressed due to shifting national interest on the part of some of the major members.
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