After extensive lobbying by the Trudeau government, Canada has failed to acquire a seat on the UN Security Council.
The decision was announced by the UN General Assembly after ballots were cast by international delegates gathered for the occasion in New York City.
Among those present at the vote was Foreign Affairs Minister François-Phillippe Champagne, who was seen casting Canada’s ballot at the assembly.
Champagne was sent across the border earlier this month to join Canada’s Ambassador to the UN Marc-André Blanchard in a desperate final push to secure a position for Trudeau.
Canada secured the lowest number of votes compared to its competitors for the two of three revolving seats on the council. According to the voting results, Canada secured only 108 votes, while Ireland secured 128 and Norway got 130 votes.
Other positions including the President of the General Assembly and positions on the Economic and Social Council were also up to a vote.
Prior to the vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would assist international UN pandemic humanitarian missions by providing military airlift support.
On Monday, Trudeau announced Canadian troops would assist in transporting supplies for missions lead by the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.
Last week climate activist Greta Thunberg joined UN ambassadors of small island states in criticizing Trudeau’s handling of environmental issues.
In a letter, co-signed by Thunberg, Trudeau was accused of failing to meet international climate obligations.
“For the young generation who will inherit the consequences of these decisions, it is critical that those who claim to be leading on climate action are held to account for decisions they are making back at home,” claims the letter.
The prime minister took a personal role in lobbying other nations for votes during his bid.
Trudeau was able to court Senegal’s vote after meeting with President Macky Sall during a tour in Africa.
While Trudeau was there, Sall came to the defence of his government’s criminalization of homosexuality, claiming that it was not homophobic.
“The laws of our country obey rules that are the condensation of our cultural and civilizing values. This has nothing to do with homophobia. Whoever has the sexual orientation of their choice is not the target of exclusion,” said Sall.
