China is making a strong effort to develop influence in the Pacific islands. Many Pacific-island countries want more done to address local needs—especially climate action, but are wary of being sucked into a global geopolitical contest. As China Knows, strategically these island nations can have real power.
While these island nations are, each has one vote at the UN, the same as much larger nations.
In a world where climate change has a real effect on small pacific islands, their friends will, of course, be those countries that provide them with real help.
Canada’s Role
The HADR Project,, a proposed, purpose built, humanitarian aid/ disaster relief ship, for the Canadian Coast Guard is the perfect plan for Canada to support our allies in the Pacific, support those small island nations and enhance Canada’s position on the world stage. Australia, along with their western Allies are in a battle for the hearts and minds of the people of these pacific islands. The role of these island nations as western allies and friends or countries aligned with China will depend on who provides meaningful help. China has already begun a strategy to win this battle. Will Australia and her western allies, Canada and the US act?
The Canadian ship, CCGS Norman Bethune, a converted ro/ro ocean going ferry, would have only two tasks. response to natural disasters and aid in anti-climate change projects
Bethune is purpose built HA/DR ( humanitarian , aid / disaster relief) ship. She has 2.5 decks filled with aid supplies and heavy equipment, needed for construction jobs, a 200 bed hospital and six rescue and air-ambulance helicopters, on board relief management and air traffic control resources She is fully equipped to react to climate and other nature caused disasters as well as completing projects to combat sea-level rise
COST
the cost for two ships of the Bethune class, one for the east coast of Canada and one for the west, @ about$20 million each, would be a very small fraction of Canada’s 6.6 billion in annual foreign aid, and yet the effect these ships could have, as ambassadors for Canada, could be immence.
