Trudeau says Canada will seek seat on UN Security Council

Canada is looking to win a seat on the UN Security Council as part of a move to renew its relationship with the world body, Prime Minister JustinTrudeausaid today.

Trudeaushared a podium with UN Secretary General BanKi-moonas he spoke of his plans to rebuild Canadian ties to the organization.

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The two men held talks on a number of issues at the start of Ban's short visit to Ottawa and Montreal.

"On the issue of the UN Security Council, I highlighted to the secretary general that part of Canada wishing to re-engage robustly with the United Nations and in multilateral engagement around the world includes looking towards a bid for the UN Security Council," Trudeau said.

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"We're looking at a number of windows in the coming years. We are going to evaluate the opportunities for Canada to mount a successful bid."

A return to the council would mark a major comeback for Canada, after the country finished an embarrassing third in 2010 during first-round voting in the General Assembly to fill council vacancies.

The Harper government was criticized at the time for failing to make a strong bid for the seat.

The 15-member council has five permanent members and 10 members elected by the assembly to two-year terms.

Distinguished partnership

Ban says he welcomes Trudeau's plan to rebuild a robust relationship with the UN, saying Canada has a long and distinguished partnership with the organization.

The two men's talks covered issues ranging from climate change to the resettlement of Syrian refugees and Canada's return to major peacekeeping operations.

Trudeau said he told Ban that Canada wants to be involved as a peacemaker.

Peacekeeping

Canadian involvement to UN peacekeeping dwindled sharply in the Harper years as the military was enmeshed in Afghanistan.

That will change, Trudeau told Ban.

"I reiterated the commitment of our government to strengthen the UN's ability to maintain international peace and security, including by increasing support for peace operations and contributing more to mediation, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction efforts."