CONSERVATIVE Leader Andrew Scheer on Tuesday detailed his plan for delivering strong Conservative leadership on the world stage.

Scheer shared details around four key pillars of his foreign policy plan on the same day the Munk debate on foreign policy was supposed to take place before Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau forced its cancellation:

• Cutting 25% of foreign aid spending – The reduction will come from middle- and upper-income countries as well as hostile regimes. We will use the savings to pay for policies that help Canadians get ahead at home and also redirect $700 million to strengthen foreign aid in the countries that need it most. We will continue to work in partnership with leading Canadian aid organizations including volunteer-focused groups who provide much-needed assistance to developing countries.
• Strengthening Canada’s commitment to traditional alliances and providing additional military and non-military support to Ukraine.
• Advocating for human rights on the world stage by using Canada’s Magnitsky legislation to target hostile regimes like Iran.
• Depoliticizing military procurement in order to properly and expediently supply the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Justin Trudeau has spent the last four years humiliating himself and all Canadians on the world stage with his weak, unprincipled leadership,” Scheer said. “Canadians deserve a Prime Minister that will once again make them proud and who will always stand up for Canada’s interests in an increasingly hostile world.”

Scheer highlighted what he said was the long and growing list of scandals and humiliations that have harmed Canada’s reputation during Trudeau’s time in power, “including his admiration for China’s “basic dictatorship,” his praise for Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro, his disastrous India trip, and his disgraceful Omar Khadr settlement.”

On foreign aid, Scheer said his plan will refocus Canadian help where it is most needed while helping more Canadians get ahead at home.

“At a time when Canadians are working harder than ever and not getting ahead, Trudeau is using their hard-earned tax dollars to support antisemitic organizations and prop up foreign dictatorships,” Scheer said. “Our plan will take Canadian tax dollars away from corrupt dictators and wealthy countries and return it to Canadians so they can get ahead.

“At the same time, we will continue to consider aid proposals which support non-development objectives such as minority rights and peaceful coexistence taking place in any country,” Scheer said.