Boris Johnson and Tony Abbott at CSFN 2024: Insights on Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and Climate Change
Today was the first day of the Canada Strong and Free Network with notable speakers, the Right Honourable Boris Johnson and the Honourable Tony Abbott. The room was filled with passionate conservatives, and few topics dominated the panel. The panel answered key and controversial questions like funding for Ukraine, ceasefire in Israel & Gaza and net-zero targets.
The President of the Canada Strong and Free Network began the panel by thanking sponsors and also setting the theme for the night’s panel. He noted that this conference would have a significant shift from previous events, with a focus on international relations and Canada’s place in the world. As the conservative movement continues to unite together, this panel gave time for healthy discussion on how we as conservatives can progress in the current political climate.
The three main topics were international defence of liberal democracies, climate change and uniting the right. The moderator began by asking the panel about the controversies of funding Ukraine’s military in its war with Russia. Both, Johnson and Abbott came firmly in support of Ukraine. Johnson argued that if we are truly intent on protecting freedom and security, funding Ukraine is one of the lowest cost and best ways to do so. They toted support for NATO and military spending for Ukraine, in order to protect liberal democracies across the world.
They continued to discuss issues of a ceasefire within the Israel-Palestine conflict. Johnson made on points on how once again that Israel is the only liberal democracy that promotes democratic principles in the Middle East. He went on to talk about the role of antisemitism in the conflict.
Moreover, the moderator went on to discuss net-zero targets. Johnson was forced to argue for his election platform’s focus on net-zero targets. Abbott contended that there was no climate emergency and that alarmism about domestic industries often has the opposite effects. Notably, we can see this effect in Canada where passionate climate activists have shut down major pipeline projects, However, Canadians still need oil, so we import oil from other countries. These other countries typically much less concerned than Canada would have been about the climate emergency anyways. The panel eventually came to the conclusion that there may be some need for climate targets, but that we should not uproot people’s basic livelihoods to do so.
Overall, the night highlighted many key areas that are rarely discussed in Canadian conservative panels. Especially, those from two global leaders that have done tremendous work in their own countries. The CCYA is excited to continue to cover CSFN tomorrow.
Watch the full speech below .
