#BREAKING Canada has lost it's bid for a UN Security Council seat. Norway takes 130 votes. Ireland takes 128 votes. Canada came in at 108 votes. Didn't need to go to subsequent rounds. #cdnpoli #cdnfp

This is a significant loss for Canada - the Trudeau government had put tremendous resources and time and effort into making this happen. Many Liberals criticized the Harper govt heavily when it lost as a reflection of Conservative foreign policy.

Canada was up against two very tough rivals when it comes to Ireland and Norway. Both had invested significant international aid resources particularly in Africa.

Govt didn't fulfill its peacekeeping promise (thousands of troops) and the PM made a brief 2020 trip to Africa. No sig bump in intl aid. But some govt officials believed they had a chance and that Cdn COVID response & funding for reproductive health would count in Cda's favour

There were also questions about how Canada's strained relationship with China would play out - China maintains significant influence at the UN and especially economic influence in some African countries where it pays for roads, wells etc...

By comparison, the Harper Conservative government took 114 votes in the first round to the Trudeau Liberals 108 votes. The Conservative govt lost to Portugal however, Norway and Ireland are seen as being much stronger competitors.