Obama says the world is in state of flux. Growing inequality, terrorism, technological change. Normal to be scared. #ObamaMTL#ObamaCCMM
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Obama warns of illiberal threats to postwar global order in Montreal speech
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Obama warns of illiberal threats to postwar global order in Montreal speech
Former U.S. president speaks of global order facing a critical moment
By Jonathan Montpetit, CBC News Posted: Jun 06, 2017 2:23 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 06, 2017 9:57 PM ET
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/barack-obama-montreal-live-1.4148233
It is decision time for a world order based on liberal values, former U.S. president Barack Obama said Tuesday in Montreal, where he issued a rousing call for citizens everywhere to defend its gains.
Obama painted a stark picture of the global upheaval wrought by globalization, technological advances and climate change.
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He suggested that the progress made since the end of the Second World War is threatened by an unwillingness to adapt to social change.
"It's been clear for some time that the world is at an inflection point," he told a crowd of some 6,000 who packed the Palais des Congrés, a downtown convention centre.
At such critical moments in history, he said, there is a temptation "go backwards instead of forwards." The appeal of isolationism and populism, he said, is understandable as people look for certainty in uncertain times.
"But in this time we cannot stand still," Obama said. "We have to act with greater urgency and greater conviction."
'Democracy is hard'
The speech carried forward a theme that recurred often in the final months of his presidency, the importance of civic engagement at both the local and international level.
Obama answers a question from moderator Sophie Brochu following his speech. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
That message has taken on a different, more explicitly political tone, since Donald Trump entered the White House.
Obama did not mention his successor by name, but the context was evident in his references to "fake news," welcoming refugees and championing multilateral organizations such as NATO and the UN.
At one point he even decried the "temporary absence of American leadership" when it comes to climate change.
"The bottom line is: democracy is hard and progress does not always move in a straight line," Obama said. "Its gains are often fragile if we as citizens are not tilling the soil and maintaining that democracy."
In a question-and-answer session following his speech, Obama elaborated on his disappointment with the current U.S. administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accords.
But he also stressed that the commitment to fight climate change has reached a critical mass in many sectors of the economy.
Large multinationals such as Walmart, he said, understand its dangers and the savings to be had from adopting more environmentally friendly approaches.
Dinner meeting with Trudeau
It was Obama's first visit to Canada since leaving office in January. Several leading politicians and business leaders were in the audience on Tuesday, including Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, Mayor Denis Coderre and several cabinet ministers, both provincial and federal.
Obama laboured through the pronunciation of the francophone names and few pleasantries before acknowledging, "My French is terrible, but it's heartfelt."
The former president has been on a global speaking tour in recent weeks, with stops in Italy, Germany and the U.K.
The event organizer, the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, declined to say how much Obama was paid for his speech. Tickets ranged in price from $57 to $373 and sold out in less than a half hour.
Obama arrives at the Liverpool House restaurant, where he met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for dinner. (Burgundy Lion Pub/Twitter )
Shortly after the event, Obama met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Liverpool House, a trendy restaurant in Montreal's Southwest borough.
Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the Liberal government's new foreign policy orientation.
Her speech outlined positions that largely aligned with the values invoked by Obama, advocating for a strident multilateralism that clashes with the America First doctrine preferred by Trump.
Barack Obama speaks up for climate pact, democracy during Montreal speech
Barack Obama, the former U.S. president, delivered his trademark message of hope on everything from climate change to the state of democracy in a major address organized by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Obama told the sold-out crowd of more than 6,000 that although this is a time of great disruption, as the world faces the scourge of terrorism, greater inequality in the face of globalization and a rising populist backlash, the best chance for a more prosperous future is still the international order that has been in place since the Second World War.
That includes free trade, the market economy, and the social welfare state that gives people equal opportunity, Obama said, along with the rule of law, immigration and international cooperation.
“The United States and Canada helped to lead that effort, cooperated to make the world a more secure, just and prosperous place,” he said. “Our history together, our efforts together, speak to a common set of values.
Obama never mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump, but his carefully chosen words nevertheless seemed to offer a critique on the direction his successor has taken in a few short months.
“We are in an environment where we are only accepting information based on what our opinions are rather than basing our opinions on the facts we receive, and reason and logic,” he said.
He also expressed dismay that the U.S. has now abandoned the Paris Climate Accord Obama helped forge by getting longtime holdouts China and India sign on.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed,” Obama said. But he noted that much of the groundwork laid in bringing about the historic deal will ensure its survival as other countries and industry leaders take up the torch. He said investments his government made in renewables like solar and wind have now made green energies the economic choice.
“We’re just going to have to ask with more urgency,” Obama said regarding climate change. “I’m looking forward to the United States being a leader and not on the sidelines going forward.”
Obama’s Montreal address was one of his first international speeches since leaving office in January. The timing of the Montreal event ratcheted up the interest in what he would say, coming on the heels of the U.S. pulling out of the climate agreement.
It also came after a G20 Summit in Europe that prompted German Chancellor Angela Merkel to say Europe can no longer depend on American leadership.
Hours before Obama spoke in Montreal, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland made a similar statement, saying Canada can no longer rely on the United States for protection, and thus must invest in its own military. Her words marked a major departure in Canadian foreign policy.
Winner-take-all economy makes it harder for those in poverty and less advanced economies, middle class all getting squeezed. #obamaccmm
While there is an unspoken rule that ex-politicians don’t weigh in on current matters, Obama warned as he was leaving office that he would speak out if he saw it necessary.
“I thought things would be a little more quiet for me over the first year,” Obama quipped.
Initially the Board of Trade event was supposed to be closed to the press, said president Michel Leblanc, but a week ago organizers received word that Obama had agreed to have it opened up to the media. As a result, his speech was carried live on four Canadian networks and CNN.
If rich countries refuse to support poor countries, if rich refuse to support poor, system will eventually collapse. #obamaCCMM
Obama said it is dangerous to doubt democracy, even though it has its flaws.
“Those who believe in those values and believe in democracy, we have to speak out with conviction,” he said. “That’s our only choice, that’s what’s brought us this far.”
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Obama was also asked by moderator Sophie Brochu, the CEO of Gaz Métro, if any of the women in his family might attempt to break the glass ceiling Hillary Clinton tried and failed to do by becoming the first female U.S. president.
“If you took a survey of Michelle, Malia and Sasha, it will not be them,” Obama said of his wife and two daughters. “The girls may change their minds by Michelle won’t. … In my lifetime I think we’ll see a woman president of the United States.”
Pierre-Karl Péladeau arrived with actress Lucie Laurier. #ObamaCCMM
