OTTAWA - CANADA

   
 
 
  
 

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
In the current political and policy environment, it is essential that important stories about Canadian foreign policy be told.  The McLeod Group is looking for ideas, news and stories that might not appear elsewhere. We would love to hear from you, either electronically at mcleodgroup12@gmail.com or in writing to The McLeod Group, P.O. Box 23093, Ottawa ON K2A 4E3. Strict confidentiality is ensured.

Working to rebuild Canada’s contribution towards a better world

The McLeod Group advocates a significantly improved Canadian role in the world. Where Canada once led, today we follow. We are aggressive where caution is needed and timid where daring and courage once prevailed. We have become narrow and calculating where generosity and vision are required. These problems are not irreversible.

The McLeod Group is made up of professionals with many years of experience in government, civil society and academia, working across the fields of international development, diplomacy and foreign policy. We meet on a regular basis to formulate positions on some of the most pressing challenges facing this generation of Canadians and those to come – urgent challenges that are global in nature.

 

Resources


McLeod Group Back-to-School Quiz, September, 2011

McLeod Group Policy Papers

The Cowboy Way, or, Canadian Foreign Policy Under a Majority Conservative Government
January 31, 2012

Canada and Multiculturalism: Missing in Action
by Carolyn McAskie, December 5, 2011

Women, Canada and the World:  Is Canada Failing?
by Rieky Start, March 2011

McLeod Group Submission to the Department of Finance
February 18, 2011

The Global Challenge of Fragile State: Is There a Role for Canada?
by Carolyn McAskie, December, 2010
Listen to Carolyn McAskie on Radio Canada International,
December 15, 2010

Published articles by Mcleod Group members

Busan: Are Donors Ready for Real Partnership?
By John Sinclair, Embassy Magazine, Nov 23, 2011 

Regulating Blood Minerals – Why the Controversy?
By Ian Smillie, Embassy Magazine, Nov. 16, 2011

Canada Should Seize Lead in G20
By John Sinclair, Embassy Magazine, Sept 21, 2011

Fundraising Pitfalls: Somalia Still Needs Us
By Ian Smillie, Globe and Mail, Sept 19, 2011 

Expect CIDA Minister, Debate to Have Low Profile – But Watch behind the Scenes
By Stephen Brown and Ian Smillie, Embassy Magazine, Sept 14, 2011

The Real Reason CIDA is a Mess
By Ian Smillie, ipolitics, Aug. 9, 2011

Transparency and Canadian Foreign Aid
By Stephen Brown and John Sinclair, Embassy, July 27, 2011

Why Canada Must Commit to Africa
By Ted Jackson, The Mark, Nov. 22, 2010

Aside from a speech by Lawrence Cannon last July and recent remarks from David Johnston, the Harper government has shown almost no interest in Canada's non-profit sector
By Betty Plewes, The Mark, Oct. 18, 2010

Is Canada Ready for UN Prime Time?
By Betty Plewes and Hunter McGill, Embassy Magazine,
Sep. 22, 2010

What’s a Billion Dollars? New Money or Old, Aid Budget Could Use a Few More Dollars
By Ian Smillie in The Toronto Star , Aug. 1, 2010

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Reinventing CIDA
By Ian Smillie in Embassy Magazine, July 28, 2010

The ‘Open Canada’ study: critical of CIDA but warrants debate.
By Betty Plewes in The Mark, July 8, 2010

Did We Throw Away Our Chance for G20 Leadership?
By John Sinclair, Embassy Magazine, June 23, 2010

Aiding symptoms not causes
by Betty Plewes in The Mark

Cida and the Money Doublers
by Ian Smillie in Embassy

Politicizing, undermining gender equality
by Betty Plewes and Joanne Kerr in Embassy

High time for a minister who understand the role of aid
by Ian Smillie, in the Globe and Mail

The G20 Summit: Showbiz or Way Forward?
By John Sinclair in Embassy

Does Canada Deserve a Place at the Table?
By Betty Plewes in The Mark
 
 
 

PUBLIUS:
The McLeod Group Blog

Haiti:
More Announceables
January 6, 2012

It has been two years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti that killed over 300,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless. In January, on the anniversary of the event, Canada’s Minister for International Cooperation, Bev Oda, paid a visit to Port au Prince, with the customary blizzard of press releases.

[Click for more]

PREVIOUS BLOGS

Aid Transparency:
It's About Time
January 6, 2012

Asbestos and Harper: When Facts Don't Matter…
September 7 , 2011

On Libya, Environmental Protection and Canadian Prisons
Twelve O'Clock High
August 2 , 2011

Two Cups of Tea: Miracle Cures and Other Development Snake Oil
June 14 , 2011

Canadian Development Cooperation:
Back to the 1960s with Conservative Majority?
May 11 , 2011

Aid Accountability that Matters
Apr 27, 2011  

   ^Speaking Truth to Power: Another side of the Oda affair
Mar 22, 2011

At Least He Made the Trains On Time
Feb 15, 2011

Transparency and Accountability in Foreign Policy: NOT
Jan 12, 2011

Harper and Multilateralism
Dec 12, 2010

Foreign aid: telling Parliament
Nov 22, 2010

Canada and Haiti: when all is said and done, much more is being said than done
Oct 15, 2010

Should Canada be on the Security Council
Oct 4, 2010

THE CCIC Debacle
Aug 3, 2010