The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper’s Foreign Policy documents the sordid story of this country’s sabotage of international environmental efforts, of a government enthralled to tar sands producers and a mining industry widely criticized for abuses. This sweeping critique details Harper’s opposition to the “Arab Spring” democracy movement and backing for repressive Middle East monarchies as well as the Conservatives support for a military coup in Honduras and indifference to post-earthquake Haitian suffering. The book also explores Canada’s extensive military campaign in Libya, opposition to social transformation in Latin America and Harper’s far-reaching support for a right-wing Israeli government. With an eye to this country’s growing international isolation, The Ugly Canadian is a must read for those who want Canada to adopt a more just foreign policy.

Stephen Harpers’ government has fundamentally changed Canada’s foreign policy in a way most Canadians do not understand. The notion of the Ugly Canadian may be hard to accept but it is true and I for one am deeply grateful to Yves Engler for this important book.

– Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of The Council of Canadians

A damning chronicle of Stephen Harper’s international misdeeds.

– Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia

Ugly Canadian is a well written, thoroughly researched, powerful indictment of the Harper government’s radical shift to the right in foreign policy. Whether it is demonstrating callous indifference to global eco-issues, taking an absolutist pro-Israel Middle East stance, meddling militarily in Libya, Haiti and Afghanistan, or rebirthing the notion of a warrior spirit, Canada can no longer be considered a peace loving middle power. This book is more than a wakeup call, it is a call to arms for Canadians to take note of where we are headed on the international stage –before it is too late.

– Scott Taylor, Editor Esprit de Corps Magazine

Dubbed “Canada’s version of Noam Chomsky” (Georgia Straight), “one of the most important voices on the Canadian Left today” (Briarpatch), “in the mould of I. F. Stone” (Globe and Mail), “part of that rare but growing group of social critics unafraid to confront Canada’s self-satisfied myths” (Quill & Quire), “ever-insightful” (rabble.ca) and a “Leftist gadfly” (Ottawa Citizen), Yves Engler’s six previous books have been praised by Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, William Blum, Rick Salutin and many others.

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Local Sponsors: Climate Justice Group of Science4Peace, Beit Zatoun, Common Frontiers, Toronto Haiti Action Committee, Socialist Action, Council of Canadians

National Sponsors: Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and rabble.ca