Let me just address the first point about the democratic alignment as well, and then I'll talk about how we can actually engage in diplomacy in advancing our interests.
On the aligning component, it is also important to note that leadership does matter. No one is really expecting the public to lead in these particular issues. It is the job of the elected representatives in a represented democracy to be able to lead in this and engage. It is the job of the government and the elected representatives to make the case to the public that pursuing certain policies is in the national interest.
It is not about blindly following what the public and the public mood does. Foreign policy is in no country a public sport, in a way; it is always government elite-led. However, it is important that it is aligned with the broader interests of the public, and that requires constant interaction with the people, rather than assuming and picking and choosing places where we believe it is aligned.
On the diplomacy front, I agree that we need to do the legwork, but that also requires focused attention on what our strengths are, what we can bring to the table. We should avoid basically lecturing to other countries without offering something substantial in improving their security, improving their well-being or increasing their prosperity. Just talking to the people will not necessarily get us there, but we also need to listen to other countries, our allies and partners, not necessarily go there with our own perceptions of what is good for other countries. We need to listen to their needs—what they are hoping to get out of an engagement with Canada, and whether those desires and aspirations align with our interest. That's where I think the diplomacy component is key.
I would add one more point—