Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a unique opportunity in the next year to carve out for himself, and by extension his country, a small niche in the international arena.
Whether the Prime Minister will choose to try remains unknown, since he is neither a visionary politician nor one, thus far, known for making any mark on world affairs, something admittedly difficult for any Canadian leader to accomplish.
Next year, Mr. Harper will be playing host to the G8 meeting in Canada, and playing co-host (with Korea) to the G20. Before those meetings, there will be the Winter Olympics in British Columbia, a non-political event that nonetheless will see a parade of world leaders through Canada.
Next month, Mr. Harper will be in India and at Singapore for the Asia-Pacific summit. Provisionally, he is to make a separate (and long-delayed) trip to China in early December.
Mr. Harper is uncontested at home. He's running a minority government that might just as well be a majority. His polling numbers have improved, the Liberals are in customary disarray, and the NDP remains intent on avoiding an election.
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