SPEECHES
October 24, 2005
OTTAWA, Ontario
2005/40
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY
THE HONOURABLE PIERRE PETTIGREW,
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
AT THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS)
WORKSHOPS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW
“CANADA IN THE AMERICAS: FIFTEEN YEARS WITH THE OAS”
It is my great pleasure to be speaking here today. The fact that the Organization of
American States [OAS] chose the University of Ottawa’s law faculty to jointly organize
this illustrious event bears witness to the vitality and excellent reputation of this
institution. I am especially pleased to be here with you because the conference gives us
the opportunity to highlight the 15th anniversary of Canada’s full membership in the
OAS. Today, I would like to talk about Canada’s contribution to the OAS and the
challenges before us in the Americas. These challenges include the promotion of
democratic governance, the rule of law and protection of human rights. Such a
discussion is particularly useful in view of Canada’s participation next week in the
Fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, alongside the Americas’
democratically elected leaders.
First though, I would like to take a few moments to highlight an extremely important
event.
Today marks an important milestone in the history of our world. Sixty years ago today,
as the world was still reeling from the effects of six years of war, the Charter of the
United Nations was ratified, and the centrepiece of the modern multilateral system was
put into place. The Charter, which begins with the now-famous words, “We the peoples
of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of
war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind...,” goes on to
speak of human rights, justice, social progress, tolerance and respect.
Sixty years later, the UN faces new and increasingly complex challenges of a changing
world. Canada is working diligently to assist in the reformation of the UN so that it can
take its rightful place at the head of the multilateral system. We made progress in the
2005 Summit Outcome document that recognized the need for a peacebuilding
commission, better management of the UN, a response to threats to health and means
to deal with the root causes of poverty, ignorance, terror and despair.
Importantly, it endorsed the responsibility to protect, the Canadian initiative which
unambiguously accepts the collective international responsibility to protect populations
from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Canada should be proud that its contributions to the United Nations over the years have
been so significant. As Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the House of Commons in
March of last year: “It’s hard to imagine the United Nations without Canada and, I might
even say, it has become hard to imagine Canada without the United Nations. Your
country’s multicultural character and bilingual tradition give it special qualifications as an
exemplary member of our organization.”
Fifteen years of Canadian participation in the OAS
Promoting Canada’s priorities in the Americas
When Canada joined the OAS, the hemisphere was emerging from decades of
dictatorships and human rights violations being the rule rather than the exception.
Today, South America has been transformed, with growing expectations from citizens in
terms of democracy, jobs, health, education and equality.
In this new context, Canada believes the OAS is a fitting vehicle for promoting our
priorities in the region. These priorities are the promotion of democratic governance,
human rights, equitable economic growth and sustainable social development in a
secure environment.
Canada’s ties with the Americas have evolved over the years. In 1994, along with the
United States and Mexico, we entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement,
[NAFTA,] our first free trade agreement with a Latin American country. That same year,
we took part in the First Summit of the Americas in Miami, where the idea of creating a
Free Trade Area of the Americas [FTAA] was launched. In 2000, we hosted our first
OAS general assembly in Windsor, and subsequently hosted the Third Summit of the
Americas in Quebec City in 2001. Today, Canada is the second largest contributor to
the OAS.
The role of the OAS in strengthening democracy in the western hemisphere
Canada supports the key role of the OAS in strengthening democracy in the western
hemisphere. Moreover, we can state categorically that Canada has and will continue to
have a profound impact on the institutions and practices of the OAS in this regard.
Canada led the way in supporting the creation of an Office for the Promotion of
Democracy. Today, this Office is a key OAS vehicle for assisting democracies in
difficulty. In the Americas, supporting democracy entails more than just observing
elections during a given period. It also involves generating community participation in
electoral processes, improving the technologies that make elections possible, and
strengthening parliamentary institutions and political parties.
Canada and the OAS agree on what still remains to be done in support of democracy in
Haiti. The OAS is responsible for voter registration. This is a vital step in bringing about
fair and equitable elections in Haiti, to ensure that all Haitians can participate in this act
that is so fundamental to democracy. I discussed the Haitian situation at length with
Secretary General José Miguel Insulza when he was in Ottawa last month. I was
pleased to note that, like Canada, the OAS intends to continue its support for the
Haitian people and Haitian democracy well after the fall elections have come and gone.
The Americas’ commitment to democracy was crystallized with the adoption of the
Inter-American Democratic Charter in September 2001. The Democratic Charter is a
unique instrument in the world in terms of governance. It represents a true commitment
on the part of governments to promote and defend democracy. It provides a common
definition of democratic governance, because, beyond the absolutes of democracy
such as periodic elections and the separation of the various powers, the Charter clearly
sets out leaders’ obligations in terms of democratic governance. These obligations
include human rights promotion, respect for social rights, the need for transparency and
integrity within governments and freedom of expression and of the press.
These advances are significant and must be continued. At the last OAS General
Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, the member states adopted the Florida Declaration. In so
doing, we have committed to building the capacity of the OAS to fully meet the
challenges of democratic governance in the Americas. Canada will be an active
participant in this discussion.
The OAS at the forefront of the promotion and defence of human rights and the
promotion of international law and cooperation in the field of justice
The OAS is also at the forefront of the promotion and defence of human rights and the
promotion of international law and cooperation in the field of justice in the Americas. To
do so, the proper tools needed to be created—and that is something that the Americas
do well. We now have the Inter-American Democratic Charter. We have also given
ourselves the first anti-corruption convention, as well as an anti-terrorism convention
that remains respectful of human rights. All are important instruments that Canada
supports. I know you are discussing aboriginal rights here today. This is an important
issue to Canada. You are certainly aware that the OAS is currently drafting an
American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Canada is committed to the
elaboration of the declaration. We are working hard in order for it to be a strong and
effective declaration and are making sure that indigenous peoples play an active and
effective role in its elaboration.
The OAS is also fortunate to be able to count on an independent, and respected,
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Canada plays an active part in the
efforts to improve the capacity of this institution to continue to fulfill its essential role in
the hemisphere. Also, Canada provides concrete support for the Inter-American
Commission of Women and makes sure it plays its useful role of being the gender lens
through which the Organization conducts its activities. A Canadian member was elected
last year to the prestigious and influential Inter-American Juridical Committee, the OAS
body that studies the juridical aspects of hemispherical integration.
Democracy is all the more solid when citizens are confident that justice can be rendered
in a fair and balanced way. Canada believes that the OAS is ideally positioned to
contribute to the development of international law and promote judicial cooperation.
Since the last Meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General of the Americas,
Canada is proud to have been able to provide leadership in this critical area. Canada
helped with the creation of a secure e-mail system throughout the region. By doing so
we ensure that the experts in our countries can share the crucial information they need
in matters of mutual legal assistance and extradition. And this makes for a more secure
hemisphere.
Canada’s objectives for the Fourth Summit of the Americas
The OAS also plays an important role as a key partner and secretariat for the Summit
of the Americas process.
Next week, Argentina will host the Fourth Summit of the Americas. The theme for this
year’s Summit—Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic
Governance—addresses some of the enduring challenges in the region. Canada
welcomes this theme, which highlights the links among democracy, good governance,
prosperity, equity and job creation. We are very committed to the summit process. As I
mentioned earlier, Canada was honoured to host the Third Summit of the Americas in
Quebec City in 2001. This meeting was a high point in hemispheric summitry, paving
the way for the establishment of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. One of the
major achievements at the 2001 Summit was the insertion of the democracy clause in
the Declaration of Quebec City. This clause accentuated that democracy is a necessary
condition for participation in the summit process.
On the cusp of the Fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar Del Plata, I’d like to share
with you Canadian perspectives on our engagement in hemispheric dialogue and
cooperation. I’d also like to take this opportunity to discuss some of the issues Canada
will focus on at the November summit.
There are three main ideas that underpin Canada’s engagement in the summit:
Democratic governance underpins economic growth
Democracy is the foundation for economic growth and social development and a key
ingredient to building national prosperity in an equitable manner. Without equity, lasting
and meaningful prosperity cannot be achieved. While democracy is an essential
condition for economic growth and progress, it must be coupled with good governance.
Good governance and social equity are as crucial to regional prosperity as economic
growth.
Citizens need to know that their government is operating with probity and accountability
and that it has the capacity to deliver programs and services. In times of economic
challenge, stable, effective, inclusive and reliable governments are far more likely to
provide protection to their citizens and attract and effectively absorb foreign direct
investment.
We must work to strengthen the credibility and public trust in democratic institutions.
Sharing prosperity in the region requires enhanced cooperation and stability throughout
the hemisphere. The summit process and the OAS, as the main implementor of summit
mandates, have key roles to play to address these broader questions.
We believe in an inclusive, consultative process
The second perspective that guides Canada’s engagement in the Summit is our
conviction that all sectors of society should be engaged in the hemispheric process. Not
just diplomats; not just politicians. Academics— like you—civil society, unions, the
private sector, women’s groups, youth, communities, the disabled, and indigenous
people all have a stake and a contribution to make.
The priority for this Summit should be to situate citizens and communities squarely at
the centre of our efforts to enhance prosperity and equity— both at home and in the
hemisphere. This is necessary if we want regional economic growth to translate into
real benefits for individual citizens.
Governments are responsible for providing the framework to make it possible for
everyone to participate, and for all voices to be heard. Canada takes this issue very
seriously. In the lead up to the 2001 Quebec Summit, Canada engaged with over 1,000
civil society groups and networks at both the national and the hemispheric levels. We
are committed to continuing to engage civil society. I regularly meet with
representatives of non-governmental organizations [NGOs], here in Canada and on the
margins of the OAS General Assembly or other international fora. It is my strong
opinion that Canada benefits enormously from their perspective and experience.
Canada is also a major financial contributor to the Second Indigenous Peoples Summit
in Argentina, which will take place from October 27 to 29, just before the Summit in
Argentina. The co-organizers of this event are Canada’s largest First Nations political
group—the Assembly of First Nations, and the National Organization of Indigenous
People of Argentina. Canada believes that the outcomes of this summit should inform
the discussion of summit leaders in Mar del Plata.
An inclusive, consultative process targeting all groups will create, ensure and maintain a
more equitable environment conducive to creating jobs.
Partnerships help fight poverty and create jobs
As I’ve mentioned, the government’s role is to create an enabling environment. This
environment includes a myriad of partnerships—partnerships between the state and the
private sector, among the state and communities and marginalised groups and even
partnerships between the state and local government to support the infrastructure for
job creation.
These partnerships help to fight poverty and create jobs. This is why reason Canada is
supporting a stronger focus on public-private sector partnerships for development in the
summit process.
The Americas must build upon the new development model enshrined in the Monterrey
Consensus. This agreement emphasizes the important role that national governments
have in establishing conditions conducive to development, including good governance,
sound fiscal and monetary policies, and improved transparency within public
institutions.
But in the end, it is the private sector that is the biggest job creation engine. It is also
why the Free Trade Area of the Americas [FTAA] is an important hemispheric project
on our agenda. Canada is convinced that an FTAA would be an important ingredient for
job creation and prosperity in our region. It would promote economic integration in the
Americas and offer new opportunities for Canadian business and investors. Canada
supports the FTAA and its early and successful conclusion. We believe that its
conclusion would be an important part of the environment that the hemisphere so badly
needs to allow the private sector to flourish, grow, and spread prosperity in the region.
Canada is a country of the Americas, and a committed partner of the OAS and of the
summit process. Our geographic reality as a country of the Americas brings great
opportunity. It increases our own economic prosperity and broadens our political
partnerships. But it also brings great responsibility—in terms of modelling and sharing
Canadian best practices in the area of democracy, human rights, good governance,
and engagement with civil society. The hemisphere is struggling with increased
polarization over different visions for its political and economic integration. Canada’s
role as the defender of inclusion, the forger of consensus and the home of common
ground becomes even more important in this context. This is our region. And we will
continue to play an active role to support the effectiveness and relevance of our
hemispheric institutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Thank you.
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