MacKay shares thoughts on Conservatives, terrorism and trade relations while in Red Deer

A long-serving Canadian politician spoke in Red Deer over the weekend.

Peter MacKay shared the stage at the Sheraton with this year’s citizens of the year, but also discussed a slate of national and international issues gripping the world right now.

Many eyes were locked on the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership races for what seemed like an eternity, with MacKay describing it as ‘lengthy.’ The Nova Scotian was at last month’s convention where Andrew Scheer was elected.  

“The process turned out to be much more exciting and competitive than many imagined. Andrew Scheer, having worked with him and knowing him personally, will do an excellent job,” he says. “We’re fortunate we see changes in a government without a shot fired and that’s something we should never take for granted.”

MacKay, who served as an MP from 1997 to 2015, worked alongside both Brian Jean and Jason Kenney, the frontrunners for the leadership of Alberta’s newly-announced United Conservative Party.

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“I think the lessons learned are that a house divided against itself will not be successful. For the sake of competitive democracy and for the sake of Albertans, the conservative movement unifying is a positive step in the right direction,” MacKay says. “I wish them well — it’s not easy, these types of leadership contests, just as unifying efforts, can be bruising affairs. They’re both honourable, smart men and they will go about this process with the best interests of Albertans at heart.”

MacKay, who held the National Defence and Foreign Affairs portfolios under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has an educated take on what’s happening south of the 49th parallel.

“Let me start with NAFTA,” he says. “I think it’s beyond any doubt that the North American Free Trade Agreement has been the most successful trading relation in global history, for all three countries. That’s not to say it isn’t without need for modernization in certain areas. Certainly, the high-tech aspect of trade wasn’t anticipated 30 years ago.”

MacKay adds the rhetoric, tweets and inflammatory language between countries with plenty of historical goodwill are unhelpful.

“Our country has to go into these negotiations strong, with facts, not false news or made up scenarios — we have to go with our eyes wide open as we did in the original agreement, with Canada’s best interests at heart. But to make America and North America great again, you have to make NAFTA great again,” he says.

MacKay admits he’s become increasingly concerned with the aftermath of events like the May 22 Manchester concert bombing.

“The insidious efforts of terrorist organizations, radicals like ISIS, the Taliban, Al Qaeda, other organizations that seem committed to chaos and to murder, this isn’t really about religion,” he says.

“It’s about nihilism, anti-human behaviours. In the face of that kind of quintessential threat, a unified world in my view that rallies around common values, that puts security of citizens first, NATO being perhaps the front-line, but other organizations as well, efforts to keep national security at the forefront are very important.”

MacKay hopes the world is going through what will eventually be chalked up to as a ‘period of time’ to be followed by the prevailing of cooler heads.

“Efforts to find common ground are always key ingredients to progress and Canada can play an enormous role in that regard. Canada has always been seen as a voice of reason. We have very capable individuals who want to engage in debate without enflaming it, and that is a very admirable characteristic of our country,” he says. “I for one am an optimist and when I see young men like Adam [Guthrie] here and young men and women across the country that are so committed to not only improving their community, but the broader world, that speaks well of this generation. Just like previous generations, I know they’re going to make their mark.”