Joly in Washington before the midterm elections

(Ottawa) Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will be in Washington for what should be a last visit before the midterm elections. On the agenda: the war in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific strategy and human rights.

Melanie Marquis
The Press

By heading to the American capital, the head of Canadian diplomacy wants to ensure that Ottawa remains on the radar of American legislators, regardless of the composition of Congress in the aftermath of the midterm elections on November 8.

“Of course we are following this closely, and that is one of the reasons why we will see this world and make sure that the relationship is maintained, regardless of the outcome,” notes a source. government who requested anonymity in order to express themselves more freely.

If everything points to a resumption of Republican control of the House of Representatives, in the Senate, both the Democrats and the Republicans could win with a very narrow majority, according to Rafael Jacob, a specialist in American politics.

“We can most likely expect a House with a Republican majority, despite the rise of Joe Biden [dans l’opinion publique] “, he predicts, referring to this resurgence in popularity of the president, whose upturn came after the Supreme Court invalidated Roe c. Wade and the adoption of his plan against inflation.

The issue of abortion

During her visit to Washington on Thursday and Friday, Minister Mélanie Joly will meet with her counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Now that Congress has shelved the “made in the USA” green vehicle tax credit, the Canada-US relationship has improved, although there are still disputes such as the softwood lumber tax and Enbridge line 5.

And since the chief diplomat of Canada and her vis-à-vis share the same position on the right to abortion, the duo is not likely to dwell on it face to face. On the other hand, it is possible that the subject will be raised during the visit.

It’s that M.^me Joly will meet with members of the US Congress “to collaborate on international issues such as peace and security, disinformation, human rights and democracy”, it was indicated ahead of his visit.

Human rights as in the right of a woman to dispose of her body?

“When you look at the speech she gave to the United Nations General Assembly this week, it is obvious that the issue of women’s rights to choose is fundamental to our commitment around the world”, commented a government source, without confirming that the issue would be tackled point blank.

In the event that the minister addressed it to a member of Congress, this would derogate “from the manual of diplomatic relations between the friends that are Canada and the United States”, believes Rafael Jacob.

Ukraine

Minister Mélanie Joly is also arriving in the United States at a time when Moscow is preparing the ground for the annexation of four territories where referendums have endorsed the Russian regime – sometimes at gunpoint.

In retaliation for these referendums whose legitimacy Canada and its southern neighbor have sworn never to recognize, Ottawa will soon announce new sanctions, possibly this week, according to our information.

A signal in this direction was sent by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday.

The one who is also Minister of Finance made this plea at the end of the weekly meeting of the Liberal caucus, without however specifying what was hidden concretely behind this declaration.

The minister of Ukrainian origins also pleaded “that we should not even call referendums” these consultations with Soviet scores, but rather “simulacra”, which show that Russian President Vladimir Putin “understands that he is losing the war “.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for his part, had a conversation Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Among other things, he “reiterated Canada’s strong and continued support for Ukraine, including continued military support,” according to an account provided by his office.

The office of the Minister of National Defense, Anita Anand, did not want to advance on possible additional deliveries of military equipment.

“On Kyiv’s list of needs are 155mm ammunition, light armored vehicles, winter clothing, winter tents, fuel and food rations,” the report said. Embassy of Ukraine in Ottawa.