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IPS Highlights
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Canada: A Role of Pride and Influence in the World
On April 19, 2005, the Government of Canada tabled in Parliament Canada's International Policy Statement: A Role of Pride and Influence in the World (IPS). The IPS is the country's first comprehensive framework on Canada's role in the world in a decade. It presents a vision of a globally active Canada anchored in our North American neighbourhood, equipped for a rapidly changing and less predictable world. FIVE PRIORITIES TO GUIDE CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
1. Revitalizing Canada's North American partnership by enhancing security and promoting prosperity;
2. Building a more secure world by countering terrorism, stabilizing failed and fragile states, and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
3. Increasing prosperity by strengthening Canada's competitiveness, enhancing commercial engagement, and targeting support for Canadian businesses;
4. Promoting respect for human rights and building genuine development by sharing Canadian expertise to reform global governance and enhance local capacity; and
5. Crafting a new multilateralism and flexible diplomacy to deal with global developments. |
What's new in the IPS
 An integrated approach to international relations: The IPS sets out a "whole-of-government", "whole-of-Canada" plan of action to respond to the international challenges facing Canada today.
Reinvestment in Canada's role in the world: Canada's Budget 2005 committed significant new levels of funding to our international role. It earmarked a total of approximately $17 billion in additional funding over a five-year period to meet our global responsibilities and raise Canada's international profile. Funds will be directed towards strengthening the effectiveness and agility of our diplomatic presence abroad, bolstering our national defence, doubling our international assistance, and building stronger international economic relationships.
Recognition of the changing geo-political landscape: While acknowledging the pre-eminence of the United States and the importance of North America to our international policy, the IPS also recognizes that Canada must develop deeper relations with new global players while building on strategic partnerships with long-standing friends and allies.
Recognition that the issues we face are more complex and increasingly inter-related, blurring the distinction between "domestic" and "international": The IPS highlights the links between domestic and international dimensions of security, development, economic growth and the environment, and the need for comprehensive responses.
The IPS Distilled
The IPS is composed of an overview and four documents that outline how Canada will deliver on its priorities through diplomacy, defence, development and international commerce strategies.
Diplomacy
New tools designed to enhance the security of Canadians and fulfill Canada's responsibility towards failed and fragile states (e.g. the Stabilization and Reconstruction Taskforce [START], which will coordinate rapid reaction to international crises and be funded by a new $100M p.a. Global Peace and Security Fund).
A new North American strategy to better advocate our interests, build continental networks, and position the continent to be competitive globally.
A focus on results-oriented multilateralism to tackle emerging global issues, including support for UN reform efforts, such as the proposed Human Rights Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Responsibility to Protect initiative.
New networks of influence through the development of "whole-of-government" strategies to broaden and deepen ties with rising global powers such as China, India, and Brazil.
Stronger collaboration with Canadians, especially those active internationally, to ensure a visible and influential voice for Canada on the international stage.
Greater transparency through an annual statement on our international priorities and achievements to give Canadians a stronger sense of how and why international engagement matters to them.
A renewed Department of Foreign Affairs focussed on rebuilding its field presence to ensure it is more agile and better equipped for emerging challenges, and a modernization of our consular and passport operations to provide the best possible service to Canadians abroad.
Defence
Work with our North American and international partners to respond to emerging threats, combat terrorism and effectively deal with failed and failing states.
Creation of "Canada Command", a single, operational command headquarters for operations within Canada.
$13B in additional funding over the next five years for transformation and expansion of the Canadian Forces. Development
$2.9B to double Canada's international assistance by 2010 from its 2001-02 level, and double assistance to Africa by 2008-09 from its 2003-04 level, plus an additional $500M for 2005 and 2006.
CIDA to focus on five sectors: good governance; health; basic education; private-sector development; and environmental sustainability.
By 2010, CIDA will target of at least two-thirds of bilateral aid on 25 development partners.
International Commerce
Enhance our economic relationships with established partners like North America, Europe and Japan, and forge partnerships with new economic powerhouses, such as China, India and Brazil.
Provide the right services to Canadian companies to help them compete and prosper in the global economy. These include building science and technology partnering frameworks, expanding air routes, regulatory harmonization, and negotiating Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
$20M over five years for science and technology cooperation.
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