Harper government makes no apologies for new foreign policy direction

Last fall, when Canada failed to win a seat on the UN Security Council, the Globe and Mail's John Ibbitson and Joanna Slater wrote, "This presents Stephen Harper with a choice: acknowledge this rebuke from the global community and rethink how his government presents Canada to the world, or ignore it and accept an outsider status unique in this country's history."

Since then, it's clear Canada has chosen the latter, embracing an 'outsider status' and making no apologies for it.

"We don't develop foreign policy to be popular around the world," foreign affairs minister John Baird said in a recent interview with PostMedia News.

"Sometimes you're alone saying something, and then a number of years later, it's conventional wisdom."

Throughout 2011, Canada has been isolated in some circles for its pro-Israel stance and for its efforts to reject a Palestine push to win recognition at the UN as an independent state.

It's also been criticized for its involvement in the mission in Libya, and more recently its withdrawal from the Kyoto Accord.

When asked how he reconciles the importance of strong multilateral relationships with the fact a number of positions adopted by the government are unpopular with the international community, Baird indicated those who are most critical of Canada's stances aren't likely to be friends anyway.

"We've taken a tough stand on human rights in some parts of the world, and that makes some people feel very uncomfortable," he said.

"If you're a government which doesn't respect human rights, you're probably not keen on Canada talking about the rights of women, the rights of religious minorities, the rights of gays and lesbians."

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Baird added Canada no longer follows the herd.

"There's 194 countries in the world. I don't agree with their foreign policy on everything," he said.

"You know the Russian Foreign Minister? His job is to stand up for Russia. My job is to stand up for Canadian values and Canadian interests."