
Français		Home		Contact Us		Help		Search		canada.gc.ca		Canada International

Home > Media Room

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Canadian Offices Abroad

Services for Canadian Travellers

Services for Business

Canada in the World

About the Department

NEWS RELEASES

2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996

Print friendly version - Printing Tips

<html> <head> <meta name="generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 10"> <meta http-equiv="content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <style> p { margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px } table { border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0pt; border-color: black; empty-cells: show; font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal } td { border-color: black } td.table1column1 { border: 0.0133333in solid } td.table2column1 { border: 0.0133333in solid } td.table3column1 { border: 0.0133333in solid } td.table4column1 { border: 0.0133333in solid } body { font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal } </style> </head> <body> April 19, 2005 (10:20 a.m. EDT) No. 68 GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RELEASES INTERNATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT The Government of Canada today tabled in Parliament Canada's International Policy Statement—A Role of Pride and Influence in the World, the country’s first integrated plan designed to strengthen Canada’s role in the world. “Canada’s International Policy Statement sets out an integrated approach that will guide the next generation of Canadian global engagement. It represents an opportunity for Canada to re-energize its role in the world by bringing together our diplomatic, defence, development, trade and investment strategies to meet international challenges and opportunities,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. The Statement assesses the need for Canada to invest in its defence and security, international commitments and foreign aid in order to support a strong international role. It outlines a targeted approach, based on Canadian strengths and values, that will enable Canada to focus its efforts in order to be more effective and influential. The Statement sets new directions through military capability and capacity, strategic development assistance, international commerce strategies and enhanced modern tools to make Canadian diplomacy more effective. “The defence section of the Statement underscores the Government’s commitment to maintaining effective armed forces,” said National Defence Minister Bill Graham. “The Statement’s policy guidance, supported by the defence spending increases announced in Budget 2005, marks the beginning of a long-term process to strengthen our military. The result will be a more relevant, responsive and effective Canadian Forces capable of meeting the increasingly complex needs of the new security environment.” “We are targeting Canadian aid to reach the people who need it most and focusing our efforts to ensure better results,” said International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll. “Canadians want their aid dollars to make a real difference in the world, and this is exactly what this new plan for development cooperation will do.” “Our country’s prosperity rests on the twin pillars of competitiveness and strategic economic engagement with the rest of the world,” said International Trade Minister Jim Peterson. “The Statement outlines a series of commercial priorities that will draw the world to our communities, ease more Canadian business into the world, and give both new and established exporters the tools and services they need to excel internationally. The Government is committed to working with stakeholders across Canada to turn these priorities into actions and results.” In line with Canada’s national interests, the Statement outlines a multi-year strategic approach focused on five interrelated priorities:   1.       revitalizing Canada’s North American partnership with the United States and Mexico by enhancing security and promoting prosperity;   2.       building a more secure world by countering terrorism, stabilizing failed and fragile states, and combatting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;   3.       increasing domestic and global prosperity by strengthening Canada’s competitiveness, enhancing international commercial engagement with key partners, and providing targeted services and support for Canadian businesses;   4.       promoting good governance by sharing Canadian expertise to reform global governance and enhance local capacity; and   5.       crafting a new flexible diplomacy to deal with global developments. Parliamentarians and other Canadians will have the opportunity to review Canada’s International Policy Statement—A Role of Pride and Influence in the World. To increase accountability on international affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will table annual foreign policy updates in Parliament. The Statement is the outcome of the Government’s international policy review and reflects the views expressed by Canadians during the 2003 Dialogue on Foreign Policy, the 2002-03 Defence Update and consultations on aid effectiveness. In releasing this statement, the Government is fulfilling a key commitment made on December 12, 2003, and reiterated in the February and October 2004 speeches from the Throne. Canada’s International Policy Statement is composed of an overview and four policy documents detailing Canada’s new international priorities in defence, diplomacy, development and trade. Canada’s International Policy Statement is available on the Internet at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184821/http://www.international.gc.ca/">http://www.international.gc.ca</a>. - 30 - For more detailed information, please consult the attached highlights documents. For further information, media representatives may contact: Sébastien Théberge Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Foreign Affairs Canada (613) 995-1874 Isabelle Savard Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Defence (613) 996-3100 Media Liaison Office Department of National Defence (613) 996-2353 / 996-2354 Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Cooperation (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) (819) 953-6534 Jacqueline LaRocque Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Trade (613) 992-7332 Media Relations International Trade Canada (613) 995-1874 Highlights A ROLE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD: DIPLOMACY <table width="100%" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td class="table1column1" width="100%" valign="top">Foreign Affairs Canada: A Snapshot   •         177 missions in 113 countries   •         8 multilateral missions   •         4,000 employees   •         over $2 billion in properties around the world   •         $1.7 billion in annual budget ($1 billion spent abroad)   •         2,267 treaties administered by the department   •         6 million passport transactions per year   •         36,000 consular cases per year </td> </tr> </table> Canada’s International Policy Statement outlines an integrated strategy to adapt Canada's diplomatic capacity to respond to a more complex international environment and contribute to the Government's goal of ensuring for Canada a place of pride and influence on the international stage. It also recognizes the need for a new approach to diplomacy, including strengthened capacities and new partnerships with Canadians, in order to project a clearer image of Canada to the world as an innovative, dynamic, diverse and globally engaged nation. This approach will help retool and revitalize the multilateral system's ability to address global issues such as climate change, overfishing, poverty and disease. To this end, Foreign Affairs Canada will concentrate on diplomacy that is adapted to a globalized world. This "new diplomacy" will reflect the fact that our domestic and international priorities are increasingly interconnected and that success demands building wide and flexible networks at home and abroad. Key priorities and initiatives include: Meeting the world’s number one security challenge—failed and fragile states   •         START (Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force) established in Foreign Affairs to give Canada a new rapid reaction capacity to respond to crises. It will ensure that responses are better coordinated and faster.   •         $500 million for a new Global Peace and Security Fund to support START, build human security and assist peacekeeping in Africa. Anchoring our global role in North America   •         A new North America strategy to better advocate our interests, build networks among our citizens and position the continent globally. Solving global issues through effective multilateralism   •         A new multilateral strategy—promoting a more effective UN Security Council and a new UN Peacebuilding Commission, and leading international support for a new Human Rights Council.   •         Strengthening respect for human rights and diversity—establishing a Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada, in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation. Building new networks of influence   •         “Whole of government” strategies to broaden and deepen ties with the new global powers: China, India and Brazil. Serving Canadians better   •         Strengthening Foreign Affairs’ field presence:           •         increasing the number of diplomats in the field;           •         creating a new consular rapid deployment team; and           •         providing $60 million to improve the security of our embassies abroad.   •         Ensuring a strong and influential Canadian voice           •         strengthened and better targeted public diplomacy and advocacy.   •         Outreach           •         annual updates by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the commitments in Canada’s International Policy Statement. Highlights A ROLE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD: DEFENCE <table width="100%" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td class="table2column1" width="100%" valign="top">The Canadian Forces and National Defence: A Snapshot   •         More than 110,000 personnel in Canada and around the world, including approximately 61,500 Regular Force and 24,500 Primary Reserve, 4,000 Canadian Rangers and 21,000 civilian personnel.   •         Third largest employer in Canada and the largest single public sector employer.   •         Budget is approximately $14 billion (in 2005-06).   •         More than 1,300 Canadian Forces personnel are deployed on 17 international operations in 16 countries.   •         Hundreds of Canadian Forces personnel working in more than 50 countries around the world, including over 330 members serving in NATO posts, nearly 300 personnel with NORAD in the United States, 63 military attachés, 80 members providing security to overseas missions, and about 200 personnel serving outside Canada on exchange programs with military allies.   •         A presence throughout 3,000 communities across Canada, including 28 main bases, wings, stations, detachments and sites, 228 Primary Reserve units and 165 Ranger patrols in our Northern regions. </td> </tr> </table> Canada’s International Policy Statement outlines a comprehensive international strategy for Canada, including a vision for the renewal of the Canadian Forces and for their adaptation to the new security environment. Failed and failing states result in humanitarian catastrophes, threaten regional and global security, and provide breeding grounds for terrorism and organized crime. The Canadian Forces are critical to defending our security, protecting our interests, and enhancing Canada’s role on the world stage. The Canadian Forces will transform to meet these new threats to Canadian, North American and international security. This will entail fundamental changes to the organization of the Canadian Forces. Elements of this transformation include:   •         increasing the size of the Canadian Forces by 5,000 Regular Force personnel, most of whom will go to the land forces, and by 3,000 Reserve personnel;   •         establishing Canada Command, a single national operational command headquarters;   •         creating a Special Operations Group, which will include an enhanced Joint Task Force 2 (the Canadian Forces’ counter-terrorism response force);   •         creating a Standing Contingency Task Force that will respond rapidly to emerging crises either at home or abroad;   •         creating Mission-Specific Task Forces that will be deployed as required for a variety of operations; and   •         providing new equipment and capabilities including:             •         medium- to heavy-lift helicopters to support land and special operations missions;           •         new ships that will be able, among other things, to deploy personnel and equipment, support land operations, and provide a sea-based national or multinational command capability;           •         unmanned aerial vehicles to support domestic and international operations;           •         the acquisition of, or ensured access to, the right mix of capabilities to meet the increasing requirement for domestic, global and in-theatre airlift;           •         a new fleet of medium transport trucks to replace the aging logistic vehicle fleet;           •         new multi-mission effects vehicles and the mobile gun system to enhance protection of deployed forces;           •         utility aircraft to be employed in the Arctic; and           •         an expanded Joint Task Force 2 and Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Company. National Defence will publish a paper in the coming months detailing the capabilities and force structure required to implement the strategy described in Canada’s International Policy Statement. The Canadian Forces are well positioned for these changes with experienced leadership, new ideas and significant new investments in Budget 2005. The Canadian Forces have begun the tasks of expanding to respond to security needs, re-investing to improve training and repair infrastructure, and transforming to address emerging challenges. With this transformation, the Canadian Forces will become:   •         more relevant, both at home and abroad. They will adapt their capabilities and force structure to deal, in particular, with threats that arise from the kind of instability that we have seen abroad, especially in failed and failing states;   •         more responsive, by enhancing their ability to act quickly in the event of crises, whether in Canada or around the world. They will arrive on the scene faster, make a rapid transition to operations once there, move more effectively within theatre, and sustain deployments, in some cases for extended periods; and   •         more effective, by better integrating maritime, land, air and special operations forces. The overall goal will be the ability to deploy the right mix of forces to the right place, at the right time, producing the right result. Highlights A ROLE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD: DEVELOPMENT <table width="100%" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td class="table3column1" width="100%" valign="top">Canada’s International Development: A Snapshot   •         The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is the Government’s lead agency for development assistance.   •         CIDA’s five priority sectors will be: good governance; health (including HIV/AIDS); basic education; private-sector development; and environmental sustainability. Ensuring gender equality will be a cross-cutting theme throughout Canada’s development cooperation.   •         At least two-thirds of bilateral aid will go to a core group of 25 development partner-countries by 2010.   •         Canada’s international assistance will double by 2010 from its 2001-02 level.   •         Assistance to Africa will double by 2008-09 from its 2003-04 level. </td> </tr> </table> Canada’s International Policy Statement sets out a new framework for development cooperation that will increase the effectiveness of Canadian development assistance. Better targeting of Canada’s aid dollars is essential to strengthening the impact and effectiveness of development cooperation. The Statement lays out a plan to focus Canadian efforts and resources in key sectors and countries. Canada’s aid programming is widely dispersed. Under the Statement, Canada will focus on five sectors: good governance, health (including HIV/AIDS), basic education, private-sector development and environmental sustainability. Gender equality will remain a cross-cutting theme throughout Canada’s development cooperation efforts. The targeted sectors respond to the needs and priorities expressed by developing countries and help contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)—a set of eight internationally agreed-upon time-bound goals to reduce poverty. Canada’s aid program will also focus on a core group of 25 countries. By 2010, at least two-thirds of Canada’s country-to-country (bilateral) development assistance will be concentrated in these 25 Development Partners, most of which are in Africa. These countries have demonstrated that they can use aid effectively, and they are also where Canada is able to provide the resources and expertise necessary to contribute significantly to their development priorities. Beyond this core group, Canada’s aid efforts in other countries will be based on their continued strategic importance to Canada and/or in their own region, or where Canada can continue to make a difference based on strong people-to-people ties. In failed and fragile states, development assistance will contribute toward stability and prosperity. Canada will continue to contribute to multilateral institutions, including those in the UN system. The Statement calls for a strategic approach, promoting reforms aimed at improved effectiveness as well as transparency. Support will be focused on those institutions that are most effective in delivering development results. Canadian partners, in both civil society and the private sector, will remain an important component of Canada’s approach to development cooperation. These partners have a demonstrated ability to contribute to sustainable and equitable development. With the help of a panel of experts, CIDA will review its partnership programs with a view to promoting excellence and innovation. Canada Corps will mobilize Canadians to developing countries to promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and other aspects of good governance—all of which are fundamental to making international development cooperation more effective. Working through Canada Corps and other programs, the Government will pursue a renewed and more vigorous strategy to engage the Canadian public in the fight against poverty. The Government is committed, at a minimum, to doubling (relative to 2001) Canada’s international assistance to more than $5 billion per year by 2010, with an increasing focus on Africa. By 2008-09, Canada’s aid to Africa will double from its 2003-04 level. Canada's increasing fiscal health has enabled the Government to increase its provision of Official Development Assistance and other international assistance. In 2004-05 the Government allocated $3.74 billion to international assistance, including the extraordinary humanitarian relief contribution in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. Even excluding this relief, this amount was 21 percent larger than the previous fiscal year. In support of Canada's long-term commitment to the internationally agreed target of devoting 0.7 percent of gross national income to ODA, the Government is committed, at a minimum, to doubling (relative to 2001) Canada's international assistance to over $5 billion per year by 2010, with an increasing focus on Africa. By 2008-09, Canada's aid to Africa will double its 2003-04 level. The Government is committed to ongoing increases beyond 2010 and to accelerating the projected rate of growth in international assistance as its fiscal position continues to improve. The Statement specifies that the Government is committed to ongoing increases beyond 2010 and to accelerating the projected rate of growth in international assistance as its fiscal position continues to improve. An important aspect of increasing the effectiveness of Canada’s international contribution will be to strengthen coherence among the Government’s aid and non-aid policies and actions in areas such as debt relief and trade negotiations, among others. Canada will seek to have a world-class development cooperation program, with a delivery system that is focused, flexible, transparent and accountable. To that end, CIDA will intensify its work to improve the way it does business and sets service standards to guide its relations with colleagues and partners, both at the domestic and international levels. Canada’s development cooperation policy and programs will advance Canadian values of global citizenship and Canadian interests regarding security, prosperity and governance. Aid will be made more effective by matching Canadian niches with the needs of developing countries, in coordination with other donors. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to fight global poverty more effectively so that we can make a difference. Highlights A ROLE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD: COMMERCE <table width="100%" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td class="table4column1" width="100%" valign="top">International Trade Canada: A Snapshot   •         800 trade commissioners in more than 140 locations abroad and 100 trade commissioners in 12 regional offices, covering all provinces and territories.   •         Direct services to more than 15,000 clients through the Virtual Trade Commissioner, representing more than 12,000 companies. The Virtual Trade Commissioner is an interactive on-line tool that provides a gateway to the department’s trade commissioners and to the domestic and international business information they develop and collect.   •         Partnerships with more than 30 federal departments, provinces and territories, and municipalities to help them access international markets.   •         An annual budget of $174.1 million.   •         Contributes to:             •         Exports of Canadian goods and services, which were valued at $492.6 billion in 2004, representing 38.1 percent of the country’s GDP;             •         Canadian direct investment abroad, which reached $438.4 billion in 2004; and             •         Foreign direct investment in Canada, which was estimated at $367.9 billion in 2004. </td> </tr> </table> Globalization, technological advances and the growing number of consumers participating in the world economy continue to reshape the international commerce environment. Companies and countries alike must now constantly update their approach to international commerce in order to ensure long-term competitiveness and prosperity. The unprecedented ability—and opportunity—to move people, products, ideas and capital across borders continues to redefine business models. To survive, companies must now disperse their business activities around the world to maintain competitive advantage and form new international alliances and joint ventures. Canadians recognize that to succeed in this complex and increasingly competitive global environment and ensure Canada’s continuing prosperity, our nation needs to excel in both domestic competitiveness and international commercial engagement. To ensure that Canada is engaged where it stands to benefit most, we have set out the following trade priorities:   •         making Canada a magnet for talent and investment: improving Canada’s position as a highly attractive international centre for talent, innovation, investment, value-added production and trade;   •         advancing our relationships with select trading partners: fostering mutually advantageous long-term and rules-based relationships with key partners around the globe; and   •         providing the right services to business: enhancing the ability of Canadian companies to compete and prosper in the global economy. Canada: a magnet for talent and investment Domestically, our efforts will be focused on becoming a destination of choice for foreign direct investment, a country where international companies want to locate their business activities. The decision to invest is based not only on quality of life issues such as education, health care, a healthy environment and attractive communities, but also on sound fiscal policies, world-class universities and research facilities, smart regulatory controls, financial and physical infrastructure, as well as skilled labour and a ready supply of qualified professionals. Advancing our relationships internationally Internationally, we will secure and enhance Canada’s place in the U.S. market, anchoring our position in a globally competitive North American economy, and further develop our trade and investment links with new economic powerhouses such as China, India and Brazil, as well as with our established partners such as Japan and the European Union. The Government will put its full support behind the success of the current round of World Trade Organization talks (the Doha Development Agenda); success there is critical to opening up market opportunities for developed and developing countries, levelling the playing field for Canadian producers, eliminating agricultural export subsidies, and substantially reducing trade-distorting domestic support for agriculture. The Government will also pursue strategic regional and bilateral initiatives that will maximize opportunities for Canadian businesses. The Government recognizes that promoting economic growth in the developing world benefits everyone, given that global prosperity helps to anchor international stability, contributes to sustainable development, and ultimately permits more mature and beneficial economic partnerships. To this end, Canada will continue to extend preferential access to our market for all developing countries, pursue development-friendly outcomes in the Doha Development Agenda, provide a broad range of technical assistance related to trade, and actively implement the Canada Investment Fund for Africa. Providing the right services to business In order to provide business with the right services, at the right time, in the right locations, the Government must constantly enhance its tools and services based on quality market analysis and stakeholder input. To this end, International Trade Canada is currently working on:   •         agreements to help business engage internationally, including those that promote science and technology partnering frameworks, expanded air routes, regulatory harmonization and Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements;   •         a Trade Commissioner Service whose six core services are enhanced to increase capacity for identifying prospects for trade, investment and strategic partnerships for Canadian clients across the country and around the world in line with modern business needs;   •         a new office dedicated to helping Canadian business pursue megaprojects around the globe;   •         sustained political support through trade missions and high-level visits; and   •         enhanced support for communities to attract and retain foreign direct investment, including through the Community Investment Support Program. Finally, the Government will be seeking the views of Canadians on the implementation of the commerce section of Canada’s International Policy Statement. </body> </html>

2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996

Print friendly version - Printing Tips



Last Updated: 2006-10-30	Top of Page	Important Notices