Canada is among the most trade-dependent nations in the world. It is an active and enthusiastic participant in international organizations of all kinds, and is party to hundreds of international treaties. Many federal (and increasingly sub-national) government departments are involved in international relations, maintaining a constant chatter and exchange of information, ideas and policies across international borders. Canada is also psychologically and culturally a global society. Canadians care about this country’s place in the world, and are readily attracted to the ideal of the gentle, mild-mannered middle power punching above its weight class. Moreover, the world has a place in Canada: a sizable minority of Canadians was born outside Canada, and almost all Canadians trace their lineage to another country of origin. These observations are also made by the Canadian government to explain the importance of foreign policy and international relations to Canadians. But the implications for law reform in Canada often escape fulsome discussion. Certainly, the economic dimensions of globalization, such as free trade agreements, generate intense debate, and polar positions are taken on the impacts of trade on economic prosperity and equality. But globalization is rarely considered a phenomenon that affects how laws are made and applied in Canada. In this discussion paper, the Law Commission takes up this issue, and asks Canadians to participate in a conversation on law in our globalized nation. We begin by discussing what is meant by “globalization”, and continue by setting out the manner in which we intend to approach the issue. | |
Canada is quickly becoming the embodiment of globalization, and immigration is a positive global reach into our future.
Christopher Brideau, Jenna Gonzalez and Kaitlin Perri, Moncton High School, Moncton, NB |
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