Policy makers at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) have reviewed statements made by participants during the eDiscussion on Geopolitics and Global Demographics. They have also considered the views expressed in three policy position papers submitted to the site by Canadian universities. Below are responses to the main questions, observations and disagreements which emerged during the debate:

Shift in the balance of power?

Participants felt more work was needed to ensure the credentials of new immigrants were recognized, citing the potential benefits of this for the Canadian labour force. The federal government continues to build on existing mechanisms designed to facilitate foreign credential recognition and is pursuing strategies to expedite this process. More information can be found here.

Other participants pointed out that Canada could face challenges in promoting values such as individual rights and sustainable development in Asia, given differences in dominant conceptions of society and individual obligations between North America and Asia. However, such differences exist throughout the world (and, indeed, within Canada). The federal government therefore strives to ensure its international policies are sensitive to local values and traditions, while also consistent with Canadian values and universal human rights.

Some participants recommended pegging immigration quotas to the employment rate. This proposal is problematic for a number of reasons. In addition to meeting the needs of the Canadian labour force, Canada’s immigration selection system promotes the reunification of families and supports the humanitarian principles of protecting refugees. Indeed, economic class immigrants represent only 20% of Canada’s annual immigration intake. An approach based solely on the employment rate would therefore be inconsistent with the diversity of principles underpinning Canada’s immigration program. Moreover, such an approach would be ill-suited to the realities of a modern Canadian labour force, in which workers are highly mobile and skill demands shift constantly. Adapted to this reality, the current selection system for skilled workers emphasizes flexible and transferable knowledge rather than national occupational demand.

Resource shortages?

Policy position papers stressed the challenges of resource depletion. According to one, many countries lack the funds and political will to implement viable systems of resource extraction. To mitigate the risk of internal resource-based conflict, participants recommended that emerging Asian economies invest heavily in the promotion of sustainable resource consumption. Given the global nature of this issue, participants argued Canada should assist these governments in their efforts to advance environmentally-sound practices. Through bilateral agreements, Canada is already actively involved in helping several countries, including China and India, to do this.

One position paper suggested using rights mechanisms and international treaties to resolve resource-based inter-state conflict. A number of industrialized countries have mechanisms for bilateral and regional consultations to address resource disputes with their neighbours in a peaceful manner. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is an excellent example of this. Moreover, cooperative inter-state resource management is at the core of regional initiatives such as the Mekong Delta involving China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Canada-US relations

There was considerable interest in current US demographic changes during the eDiscussion. Several participants pointed to a significant rise in the population in the southern US -- the result of increased immigration from Central America. These changes are one reason that Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has opened several missions in the southern US in recent years. New missions include Houston, Phoenix and San Diego, which allow Canada to observe and respond appropriately to important demographic trends in these places and surrounding regions.

Participants also argued that all three NAFTA signatories should strengthen components of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) pertaining to water management. They suggested associating relevant parts of the agreement with binding powers, consistent with other enforceable NAFTA mechanisms. Because the NAAEC is an agreement designed primarily to encourage environmental protection and progress, it is not the most appropriate tool for this. However, as noted by participants, the International Joint Commission plays a key role in water management and dispute resolution relating to the use and quality of waters shared by Canada and the US. For nearly a century, the Commission has used an approach that combines bi national representation, consensus decision making and scientific deliberation to ensure border waters are managed responsibly.

New face of Canadian foreign policy?

Participants also commented on the rapid population increase in fragile states and its potential effect on Canadian foreign policy. Policy position papers underscored the fact that increased immigration from Asia to Canada would greatly facilitate economic and diplomatic relationships with the region. Although this may be the case in the long term, there is nothing to date that indicates that the presence of diasporas in Canada has markedly enhanced or undermined relations between Canada and diaspora home countries.

Some recommended that Canada encourage Asian countries, such as China, to participate in a multilateral dialogue aimed at strengthening Canada’s economic ties with the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to maintaining close bilateral relations with China in a number of arenas, Canada and China are both members of multilateral organizations working to build economic cooperation between their members, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Finally, several participants felt that Canada should emphasize the importance of environmental cooperation and individual rights in its dealings with countries such as India and China. These key issues already inform Canada’s foreign policy with China and India, as suggested by Canada’s participation in the Canada-China Joint Committee on Human Rights.