Our Mandate

The Department's legal mandate, as set out in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Act, RSC 1985, c. E-22, is to:

• conduct all diplomatic and consular relations on behalf of Canada;

• conduct all official communication between the Government of Canada and the government of any other country and between the Government of Canada and any international organization;

• conduct and manage international negotiations as they relate to Canada;

• coordinate Canada's economic relations;

• foster the expansion of Canada's international trade;

• coordinate the direction given by the Government of Canada to the heads of Canada's diplomatic and consular missions and to manage these missions;

• administer the foreign service of Canada;

• foster the development of international law and its application in Canada's external relations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is also responsible for the Export and Import Permits Act, RSC 1985, c. E-19, which authorizes the government to control and monitor the transborder flow of specified goods, and for the Special Economic Measures Act, 40-41 Elizabeth II, c. 17, which authorizes the government to apply economic sanctions in response to a serious threat to international peace and security.

The Department also provides administrative support to other government departments with personnel abroad.

A list of other legislation governing Canada's international obligations appears in Section III.

Key Objectives of Canada's Foreign Policy

The strategic direction given to the Department's mandate and role comes from the three key objectives of Canada's foreign policy set out in the Government's statement, Canada in the World:

• the promotion of prosperity and employment by advancing Canada's international trade and economic interests abroad, by maintaining market access for Canadian goods and services, by attracting foreign investment, and by promoting tourism to Canada;

• the protection of our security within a stable global framework by using diplomacy to protect against military threats, international instability, environmental degradation, natural resource depletion, international crime, uncontrolled migration, and the spread of pandemic diseases;

• the projection of Canadian values and culture in the world by promoting universal respect for human rights, the development of participatory government and stable institutions, the rule of law, sustainable development, the celebration of Canadian culture, and the promotion of Canadian cultural and educational industries abroad.