The Call of the World: A Political Memoir

· On Point Press
Ebook
512
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About this ebook

The Call of the World takes us on an unprecedented behind-the-scenes tour of defining moments in recent global history. Bill Graham – Canada’s minister of foreign affairs and then its minister of defence in the tumultuous years following 9/11 – is an insightful and wryly humorous guide, steering readers through an astonishing array of national and international events, explaining important geopolitical relationships, and revealing the human side of global affairs through his deft portraits of world leaders.

An engaging storyteller, Graham offers personal reflections as well as a riveting account of his years in office. He recalls his fortunate childhood in Vancouver and reflects on his time working as an international lawyer in Paris, as a backbencher in Ottawa, and as a cabinet minister during the Chrétien-Martin years. While his political career took him around the world, he remained a devoted champion of his constituents in his riding of Toronto Centre.

During his time as a member of Parliament, Graham was a passionate promoter of bilingualism and an early advocate for gay and lesbian rights. He is perhaps best known, though, for his role in keeping Canada out of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, for his work in rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces, and for stepping up as interim leader of the Liberal Party following Paul Martin’s resignation.

Many of the issues tackled in The Call of the World remain as immediate as today’s headlines. Graham demystifies globalization, free trade, human rights, peacekeeping, and multilateralism. All the while, he offers a bold appraisal of Canada’s current role on the global stage and makes a case for why international law offers the best hope for a safer, more prosperous, and just world.

The Call of the World takes us on an unprecedented behind-the-scenes tour of defining moments in recent global history. Bill Graham – Canada’s minister of foreign affairs and then its minister of defence in the tumultuous years following 9/11 – is an insightful and wryly humorous guide, steering ...

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About the author

Bill Graham served as a member of Parliament, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, minister of foreign affairs, minister of national defence, leader of the Official Opposition, and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He holds a BA and LLB from the University of Toronto and a doctorate (Sciences juridiques) from the Université de Paris. Prior to his election to Parliament in 1993, Graham practised law at Fasken & Calvin and subsequently taught international trade law, public international law, and the law of the European Community at the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the Université de Montréal. In 1985, the French government appointed him a chevalier de la légion d’honneur for his promotion of the French language in Canada. In 2014, he became a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to Canadian politics.
Bill Graham served as a member of Parliament, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, minister of foreign affairs, minister of national defence, leader of the Official Opposition, and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He holds a BA and LLB from the University of Toro...

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