India, U.S. shunned Canada at UN vote

At least two of Canada’s closest allies refused to support the prime minister’s bid for a seat on the Security Council.

Canada lost out to Portugal in its attempt at a seat on the Security Council this week, and insiders say India voted for the European nation and the U.S. ambassador warned her diplomats against influencing the vote in Canada’s in favour. Stephen Harper had worked hard to win the support of India, which is Canada’s second largest source of immigrants and a fellow Commonwealth nation. But India’s decision reportedly came down to the fact that Portugal supports India’s efforts to be added as a permanent member of the Security Council, and Canada does not. A U.S. source, albeit a somewhat dubious one, says Barack Obama disagrees with Harper on climate change and Israel, and instructed his ambassador to turn her back on the prime minister.