Context
With the emerging economies of Latin America and Asia assuming increasingly important roles in trade and foreign
policy, it is imperative that Canada continue to demonstrate international leadership on global issues. Canada must
maintain its tradition of simultaneously advancing its interests and values on the world stage, while promoting its
culture and heritage abroad.
The Government of Canada's role in international affairs is to bring together the country's diplomatic, defence,
development, migration, trade, and investment strategies to meet international challenges and opportunities.
The federal government is working with Canadian partners and the global community to bring peace, stability, and
development to many countries around the world. Through its foreign and defence policies, Canada is involved in numerous
international organizations and peace support operations worldwide. Canada further supports these global efforts and
broader development objectives through bilateral and multilateral investments in development assistance, support to
non-governmental organizations, as well as through emergency humanitarian relief.
Canada's current participation in the stabilization and
reconstruction of Afghanistan is a prime example of an operation that combines elements of diplomacy, defence, and
development. Following the fall of the Taliban regime at the end of 2001, the Canadian Embassy was opened in Kabul, the
capital city. As of September 2006, more than 2,000 Canadian Forces personnel were deployed in Afghanistan, a country
that is Canada's largest recipient of bilateral development assistance. Although Canada's presence in Afghanistan is not
without risk, the Government of Canada is confident that the men and women serving in Afghanistan will succeed in their
mission of helping the country become a secure and self-sufficient democratic state.
Other areas in which the government plays a role include international negotiations and treaties on trade, the
environment, human rights and humanitarian law, international cooperation on migration, and funding for science and
technology.
Advancing Canadian interests in a complex and sometimes dangerous world requires confidence and the independent
capacity to defend our country's sovereignty and the security of our citizens. The Government of Canada works
cooperatively and constructively with the international community to advance common values and interests. In support of
this goal, it is building stronger multilateral and bilateral relationships, starting with Canada's
relationship with the United States. More broadly, the government supports Canada's core values of freedom,
democracy, the rule of law, and human rights around the world.
In an ever more interdependent world, decisions on international issues increasingly affect not only countries but
also individuals, communities, and regions. The Government of Canada recognizes these new circumstances and thus
facilitates provincial participation in the development of Canadian positions that affect areas of provincial
responsibility. As a result, the Government of Canada signed an agreement establishing a formal role for the Government
of Quebec in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). By harnessing the diversity
of experience and expertise found within our federation, we present a strong, united, and confident voice to the world.
This section tracks the Government of Canada's contribution to four outcome areas related to international affairs:
1. a safe and secure world through international cooperation;
2. global poverty reduction through sustainable development;
3. a strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership; and
4. a prosperous Canada through global commerce.
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Key risks and challenges that impact Canada's role in international affairs
- An assessment of the Government of Canada's performance must often be coupled with an analysis of the risks
and challenges that have influenced, and continue to influence, the state of international affairs. The
following section provides a summary of some of the key risks and challenges to Canada's role on the
international stage.
Security
- Intra-state conflicts still pose security challenges to the global community. In addition, since the events of
September 11, 2001, the world's attention has been focussed on the threat posed by terrorist groups seeking to
acquire nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons (generally referred to as "Weapons of Mass
Destruction" or "WMD").
- Recent events, such as Iran's past and ongoing nuclear activities, the assistance to Canadian citizens in
Lebanon during the armed conflict in the Middle East, or the organization of elections for the first time in 40
years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remind us that every year Canada faces new risks and challenges
that need to be dealt with by the government. Another example is energy security, which has been gaining
prominence as an international concern, given recent oil price increases.
Poverty Reduction
- Though the global economy is strong, its benefits have not reached many of the world's 6.5 billion people.
Reducing poverty has become a cornerstone of the global development agenda as presented in the Millennium
Development Goals, a global commitment to significantly reduce poverty by 2015. This framework has become
central to Canada's long-term vision of sustainable international development, in addition to internationally
agreed principles of aid effectiveness such as local ownership, improved donor coordination, the creation of
partnerships, policy coherence, and a results-based approach.
North American Partnership
- Despite major investments following the events of September 11, 2001, significant pressures remain to do more
to improve Canada's national security and to work with the United States on facilitating the movement of people
and goods, while controlling risks along our shared border.
Global Commerce
- The global economy is in the midst of a profound restructuring. The rapid emergence of major economic powers
in Asia, the development of global supply chains, and the continued integration of global capital markets are
collectively creating both tremendous opportunities and major challenges for Canadians and Canadian business.
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Performance context
To set its programs, expenditures, and performance in context, the Government of Canada is tracking key measures of
long-term progress in the area of a safe and secure world through international cooperation. In the
electronic version of the report, clicking on the indicator in the Performance Highlights table will lead you to
detailed information about current performance and trends.
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Trend
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Indicator
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Performance Highlights
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Armed conflicts
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The situation is slowly improving. In 2005, there were 32 armed conflicts in 27 countries–down from 36 armed
conflicts in 28 countries in 2003. These figures represent a general decline in armed conflicts since 1996, when the
number worldwide was 40.
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The Government of Canada's contribution to a safe and secure world through international cooperation
The Government of Canada is actively engaged with international partners to achieve the long-term outcome of a safer,
more secure world based on international cooperation. Canada's initiatives include the following:
- peace support operations, including military and police contributions;
- promotion of human security, human rights, and refugee protection;
- support of democratic development and good governance;
- counter-terrorism capacity building;
- efforts to reduce crime, in particular transnational organized crime; and
- efforts to combat weapons proliferation.
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Did you know?
Canada is supporting international efforts toward lasting peace,
stability, and poverty reduction throughout Sudan. Its contributions focus primarily on helping to resolve the
humanitarian crisis in Darfur and supporting the consolidation of peace following the signing of the north–south Comprehensive
Peace Agreement in January 2005.
Source: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 2006
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The Government of Canada is particularly involved in helping to restore peace and stability in five
different regions with internal conflicts, and failed and fragile states: the Arabian Gulf and Southwest Asia, the
Balkans, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa. Of approximately 2,700 Canadian Forces personnel deployed overseas
on operational missions, more than 2,000 are taking part in operations
in Afghanistan. The largest mission in Afghanistan was Operation ARCHER, which transitioned to Operation ATHENA in
July 2006 when NATO assumed leadership as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Canada's main
objective is to help Afghanistan become a
secure and self-sufficient democratic state.
Canada's military has a proud tradition of defending Canadian interests and values, promoting international
stability, and providing humanitarian relief. The international missions now being undertaken require a
whole-of-government approach. As a result, National Defence is working closely with other government departments to
achieve stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan and other theatres of operations.
In order to accelerate the recruitment of an additional 13,000 regular and 10,000 reserve forces personnel and to
acquire equipment needed to support a multi-role, combat-capable maritime, land, and air force, Budget 2006 announced
the increase of the National Defence budget
base by $5.3 billion over five years. Of that amount, $1.1 billion will be invested over the next two years to
strengthen the Canadian Forces.
In today's security environment, counter-terrorism is another key area of Canadian involvement in helping to secure a
safer world. Preventing and responding to
terrorism are shared responsibilities in Canada, requiring the cooperative and supportive actions of all levels of
government, the private sector, and international organizations. Budget 2006 provided $64 million over two years to
enhance Canada's anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime. In addition, the Government of Canada is
committed to working with international partners to stop the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction and to prevent these weapons and related materials from being used in the future.
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Did you know?
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
maintains relationships with a number of international organizations and regularly participates in three fora: The
International Association of Refugee Law Judges, the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, and the Inter-governmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe, North
America and Australia (IGC). The IRB has developed good relations with a number of refugee-receiving countries
through the IGC network and has worked with its counterparts in various states such as Australia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, 2006
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Canada also continues to promote the strengthening of international norms that will enable the international
community to respond more effectively to large-scale violations of human
rights and humanitarian law, such as war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
Additionally, in keeping with its humanitarian tradition and international obligations, Canada provides protection to
thousands of people every year. Through its refugee
protection system, Canada offers safe haven to persons with a well-founded fear of persecution, as well as those at
risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Canada also works in collaboration with other governments
and organizations to ensure cooperation and progress on international migration. By taking a lead role in many
international fora such as the Inter-governmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe,
North America and Australia, or the Global Commission on International Migration, Canada seeks the development of
coherent and transparent national migration systems that will contribute to global safety, prosperity, and human rights.
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Did you know?
Canada is one of eight countries resettling Burmese (Myanmar) refugees stranded in camps in Thailand for more
than a decade. The Government of Canada approved the resettlement
of over 800 refugees of the Karen ethnic group from Mae La Oon camp. Most will arrive in Canada late in 2006,
the remainder in early 2007.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2006
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Finally, the Government of Canada also participates in international partnerships to strengthen public health
preparedness and respond globally to chemical, biological, and nuclear threats, as well as a potential
influenza pandemic. As a result, Budget 2006 provided $1 billion over five years to improve Canada's pandemic
preparedness–$600 million was allocated to departments and agencies, and $400 million was set aside as a contingency.
Links to detailed departmental information
Several departments, agencies, and Crown corporations that receive appropriations contribute to a safe and
secure world through international cooperation through their respective strategic outcomes and program
activities. This document serves as a road map to facilitate navigation through the departmental and agency performance
reports. Clicking on the links in the electronic version of the following table will lead you to planning, performance,
and resource information that is contained in the organizations' departmental performance reports and reports on plans
and priorities, as well as in the Annual Report to Parliament on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of
Canada. The Strategic Outcomes database, which can be found at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/krc/cp-rc_e.asp,
also leads to relevant audits and evaluations.
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