For years I've had a sure-fire way of ending dinner parties – all I needed to do was strategically place the words “foreign policy” in a sentence, and my friends' eyes would glaze over while their lips would start moving: "OK, kids, time to go!"

I don't use it often, but it has come in handy on those occasions when we can't seem to move beyond conversations of real estate, RRSPs and our kids' education.

But my strategy doesn't seem to work as well anymore. Somehow conversations about foreign policy are creeping in even before I serve the entree. The plight of Omar Khadr in Guantanamo, Canada's position going into Copenhagen, the transfer of Afghan detainees – it seems that what our federal government is doing in the international arena is now more interesting than ever (or at least more interesting than the latest statistics on housing sales in Vancouver).

I'm not sure that I can credit Stephen Harper for this sudden turn of events. I can't remember the last time he mentioned foreign policy in a public speech. But many of us are now experienced parents and we've learned that when the house is all quiet, it's time to worry. We've tuned our ears to the silences.

And it's in what Stephen Harper is not saying that has us worried. In a few weeks, Canada will travel to Copenhagen to negotiate an action plan to address climate change. Canadians clearly want Canada to demonstrate leadership in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, but what can we expect from our government? Does any of us have a clear idea of what Stephen Harper is going to say in Copenhagen on behalf of this country (or even if he will attend this important meeting)? What are the chances that the Group of 77 will walk out on Canada as we present our position (as they did a few weeks ago when Minister Prentice suggested scrapping the existing international agreement on climate change and starting all over again)? What are the odds that Canada will again be voted the biggest dinosaur by the civil society organizations monitoring the talks?

In 2010, Canada will host two of the most important international gatherings – the Winter Olympics in February in Vancouver and the G8 and G20 Summits in Huntsville, Ontario. For a few glorious weeks, all eyes will be upon us. And perhaps more importantly, all eyes will be upon our leader.

And do we know what Prime Minister Harper will say? Are we confident that he will be able to use these opportunities to position Canada as a meaningful player in the international community?

Unless we have the power to read minds, we cannot know what our Prime Minister will do or say because he hasn't told us. At the Olympics, my hopes are not high. I expect that he will appear for photo opportunities, wave at the appropriate times and smile as he greets foreign dignitaries. All important ceremonial functions for the leader of the host country. But will he deliver an inspiring message about Canada to the world? Will he leverage this opportunity to build bridges among nations? Will he demonstrate his capacities as a global leader? I'd like to think he could, but he simply hasn't given us any indication that he wants to, preferring instead to leave all things Olympic to the Vancouver organizing committee and the IOC.

When it comes to the G20, I think he improves slightly upon closer observation. Although reluctant at first to extend invitations beyond the G8 economies, he did change course eventually, agreeing to co-host the G20 Summit with South Korea. He has also suggested that the agenda for the G20 will focus on addressing the global economy and free trade, leaving the G8 to address a wide range of issues like global warming, freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, biodiversity, non-proliferation, and Africa.

In recognizing the importance of the G20, our prime minister scores some points, but I fear his agenda-setting skills might leave something to be desired. If global warming, human rights, and non-proliferation are on the agenda (among the other laundry list of items), what will be Canada's position going into these meetings? As the host, we get to put our stamp on the discussions. So how will Stephen Harper leave his mark? What will he say on behalf of Canadians about these most pressing global challenges, and how will he say it?

Over the next year, Prime Minister Harper has an opportunity to shine on the international stage. I only hope that before the final Olympic torch is lit and the red carpets are laid for Huntsville, he finds his voice and communicates his positions to Canadians, ideally before communicating them to the rest of the world.

If he doesn't, I fear that my dining room will start to resemble a midnight House of Commons Question Period – a never-ending series of suppositions and questions about policies that speak for all of us, but that are being shaped through whispers in back rooms.