Anand says it is not appropriate to compare her human rights approach with past ministers

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said comparing her government's human rights and international law approach to past ministers is not appropriate given a more turbulent geopolitical and economic context; she also confirmed Canada will seek a U.N. Human Rights Council seat for 2028–2030.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said it is not appropriate to apply the frameworks used by previous ministers to today’s challenges, arguing the current geopolitical and economic environment is markedly different. She told The Canadian Press that increased turbulence and economic threats require a different diplomatic frame. Her remarks come amid criticism that the Carney government has been less direct in criticizing certain U.S. actions. Anand also reiterated that human rights, defence and economic resilience are pillars of the government's foreign policy and confirmed Canada is pursuing a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council for 2028–2030. Key developments: - Anand said previous ministers’ approaches should not simply be applied to the present moment because of a more turbulent global and economic context. - Critics, including former Liberal minister Lloyd Axworthy and advocacy groups, have argued Ottawa has held back from direct criticism of some U.S. actions. - Anand faced pushback after calling for restraint following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and after reports she left determinations about U.S. strikes on Venezuelan boats to U.S. authorities. - She did not publicly condemn U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court judge Kimberly Prost and said she had spoken with Prost and had confidence in her impartiality; Canada’s then-U.N. ambassador Bob Rae deleted a tweet that had strongly criticized the sanctions. - France publicly criticised U.S. moves including the Maduro detention, strikes on boats and sanctions on ICC judges, and some legal scholars warned that silence could set precedents for further breaches of international law. - Anand described the government’s approach as "principled pragmatism," saying Ottawa will balance international law and humanitarian principles with domestic economic concerns and noting support for Ukrainian and Greenlandic self-determination. Summary: The reporting highlights a debate over how Canada should balance human rights and international law with economic and diplomatic considerations under the Carney government. A related concrete step is Ottawa’s campaign for a U.N. Human Rights Council seat for 2028–2030, with a vote expected this fall.