Canada’s Foreign Affairs Canada’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy

ApparatusApparatus

““the world needs more Canada.” – the world needs more Canada.” – Bono, Liberal Party Convention 2003Bono, Liberal Party Convention 2003

hmmmm…hmmmm…

Could Bono possibly be wrong?Could Bono possibly be wrong? What is Canada’s role in the world?What is Canada’s role in the world? By 2005, Bono was ‘crushed’ that By 2005, Bono was ‘crushed’ that

Paul Martin was not fulfilling his Paul Martin was not fulfilling his promises on increased foreign aid. promises on increased foreign aid.

An independent foreign policy?An independent foreign policy?

Canada has struggled to develop and Canada has struggled to develop and maintain a degree of independence (first maintain a degree of independence (first of Britain and then of the US) in its foreign of Britain and then of the US) in its foreign policy.policy.

Since the 1940s, Canada has generally Since the 1940s, Canada has generally followed the American lead, but as we’ve followed the American lead, but as we’ve previously discussed, there have been a previously discussed, there have been a few notable exceptions.few notable exceptions.

Key Terms Key Terms Middle PowerMiddle Power: a moderately powerful nation, like Canada : a moderately powerful nation, like Canada

or Australia, that can act as a negotiator between more or Australia, that can act as a negotiator between more powerful nations and have some influence internationally powerful nations and have some influence internationally

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy: : Foreign policy is a plan of action Foreign policy is a plan of action developed by governments in order to deal with questions developed by governments in order to deal with questions concerning international issues and relationsconcerning international issues and relations

Multilateral Approach: Multilateral Approach: An approach pertaining to an An approach pertaining to an agreement, treaty, or organization in which three or more agreement, treaty, or organization in which three or more parties participate (Canada takes this approach to parties participate (Canada takes this approach to establishing its international influence)establishing its international influence)

Middle power?Middle power?

During the Cold War, as the US During the Cold War, as the US emerged as one of two global emerged as one of two global superpowers, Canada developed the superpowers, Canada developed the self-image of itself as a ‘middle self-image of itself as a ‘middle power.’power.’

Obviously not a superpower, Canada Obviously not a superpower, Canada thought of itself an influential thought of itself an influential international player particularly international player particularly within multilateral institutions, like within multilateral institutions, like the UN.the UN.

Is Canada ‘a satellite of the US’ or Is Canada ‘a satellite of the US’ or a ‘principal power’a ‘principal power’

The dependency school within The dependency school within Canadian political economy suggests Canadian political economy suggests Canada is ‘a satellite of the US.’Canada is ‘a satellite of the US.’

The notion of Canada as a ‘principal The notion of Canada as a ‘principal power’ suggests that Canada acts in power’ suggests that Canada acts in its own interests in shaping its its own interests in shaping its foreign policy.foreign policy.

Canada: ‘an imperialist power’Canada: ‘an imperialist power’ In one interpretation of Canada as a In one interpretation of Canada as a

‘principal power’, Canada is considered an ‘principal power’, Canada is considered an imperialist power that acts in a negative imperialist power that acts in a negative and exploitive relationship with the and exploitive relationship with the developing world.developing world.

Klassen (2006) argues that Canadian Klassen (2006) argues that Canadian Foreign Policy “Foreign Policy “gives qualified support to gives qualified support to the theory of Canadian imperialismthe theory of Canadian imperialism.” .” ““Canada is a secondary power among the Canada is a secondary power among the top tier of statestop tier of states.” Canada participates in .” Canada participates in the process of “the process of “collective imperialismcollective imperialism.”.”

Implementing Canada’s Foreign Implementing Canada’s Foreign Policy Policy

Canada’s foreign policy is influenced by Canada’s foreign policy is influenced by internationally accepted codes of conduct internationally accepted codes of conduct • Through participation, Canada is able to Through participation, Canada is able to

influence and support developing countries influence and support developing countries and moderate the activities of larger and more and moderate the activities of larger and more powerful alliespowerful allies

• Uses “soft” diplomatic measures such as trade, Uses “soft” diplomatic measures such as trade, human rights discussions, and humanitarian human rights discussions, and humanitarian aid, to “hard” diplomacy such as peacemaking aid, to “hard” diplomacy such as peacemaking (involving military action), economic sanctions, (involving military action), economic sanctions, support for UN resolutions condemning the support for UN resolutions condemning the conduct of statesconduct of states

Official Principles of Canadian Official Principles of Canadian Foreign Policy Foreign Policy

Internationalism Internationalism MulticulturalismMulticulturalism MediationMediation CompromiseCompromise Peaceful changePeaceful change

• Do they all reflect domestic Do they all reflect domestic principles? principles?

What Affects Foreign Policy?What Affects Foreign Policy?

LocationLocation Economic structureEconomic structure AllianceAlliance PowerPower

LocationLocation Location is important Location is important

because it determines because it determines Canada’s:Canada’s:

Natural Resources. More to Natural Resources. More to the point, location the point, location determines what natural determines what natural resources we need from the resources we need from the rest of the world, and what rest of the world, and what the world needs from us.the world needs from us.

Our security interests based Our security interests based on our proximity to other on our proximity to other nations (friendly and/or not nations (friendly and/or not so friendly). A nation with so friendly). A nation with few boarders will obviously few boarders will obviously have a different foreign have a different foreign policy than a nation that’s policy than a nation that’s surrounded by many surrounded by many potential enemies.potential enemies.

LocationLocation Location also refers to where a Location also refers to where a

nation ranks amongst other nation ranks amongst other nations in the world. nations in the world.

A nation like Canada ranks A nation like Canada ranks somewhere in the middle and somewhere in the middle and therefore does not have the therefore does not have the foreign policy burden of the foreign policy burden of the United States or China.United States or China.

Location can also refer to a Location can also refer to a nation’s location vis-à-vis other nation’s location vis-à-vis other world powers and its relationship world powers and its relationship with that power (e.g. Canada’s with that power (e.g. Canada’s low defence spending affected by low defence spending affected by its proximity to the United Statesits proximity to the United States

Economic StructureEconomic Structure• The structure of a nation’s economy

(i.e. if it is a diversified economy with primary, secondary and tertiary industries) will affect how it conducts its foreign policy.

• For instance, the foreign policy of Canada (which has a developed diversified economy) will have a much greater scope and depth than the foreign policy of a nation whose economy is under-developed and un-diversified (e.g. a nation that has a single crop economy). More to the point, a nation that is developed will be less dependent on its neighbours and thus will have more independence in the formulation of its foreign policy.

AlliancesAlliances If you have alliances than If you have alliances than

your foreign policy will your foreign policy will carry more weight in carry more weight in international affairs (e.g. international affairs (e.g. Canada’s membership in Canada’s membership in NATO, NATO, la Francophonie,la Francophonie, The Commonwealth, etc.)The Commonwealth, etc.)

You will have greater You will have greater sense of security which sense of security which could impact how you could impact how you communicate with other communicate with other nations and how they nations and how they communicate with you.communicate with you.

AlliancesAlliances However, alliances also bring with However, alliances also bring with

them an obligation to be a “team them an obligation to be a “team player”. As a result, alliances can player”. As a result, alliances can have both a positive and negative have both a positive and negative impact on a nation’s foreign impact on a nation’s foreign policy (e.g. Canada’s NATO policy (e.g. Canada’s NATO defence budget and obligations in defence budget and obligations in Afghanistan).Afghanistan).

Alliances can restrict a nation’s Alliances can restrict a nation’s freedom in the sense that they freedom in the sense that they are hard to break (e.g. Canada are hard to break (e.g. Canada leaving NATO, or the leaving NATO, or the Commonwealth)Commonwealth)

Finally alliances determine a Finally alliances determine a nation’s friends and enemies nation’s friends and enemies whether they consent or not. For whether they consent or not. For instance, the enemy of the United instance, the enemy of the United States is Iran, so Iran by States is Iran, so Iran by extension becomes Canada’s extension becomes Canada’s enemy and vice-versa. Alliances enemy and vice-versa. Alliances have a massive impact on have a massive impact on Canada’s foreign PolicyCanada’s foreign Policy

PowerPower Power is the Power is the

ability of a ability of a person, group, or person, group, or nation to get nation to get what it wants. what it wants.

In the case of In the case of governments, governments, they can use they can use soft soft powerpower (e.g. (e.g. persuasion), or persuasion), or hard power (e.g. hard power (e.g. military force)military force)

PowerPower Essentially, power is the ability Essentially, power is the ability

of a state to do what it wants of a state to do what it wants given the tools that it has at given the tools that it has at its disposal (e.g. economic, its disposal (e.g. economic, political, social, military, etc).political, social, military, etc).

When a nation such as Canada When a nation such as Canada conducts its foreign policy it conducts its foreign policy it needs to decide how to “play needs to decide how to “play its cards”; that is, when to its cards”; that is, when to play them and how. Should play them and how. Should Canada impose sanctions on Canada impose sanctions on Korea for its nuclear weapons Korea for its nuclear weapons programme? Should Canada programme? Should Canada impose sanctions against Iran? impose sanctions against Iran? Does Canada have the power Does Canada have the power to translate foreign policy into to translate foreign policy into meaningful change around the meaningful change around the world? When? Why? Examplesworld? When? Why? Examples

QuestionsQuestions Should Canada impose Should Canada impose

sanctions on Korea for its sanctions on Korea for its nuclear weapons programme? nuclear weapons programme?

Should Canada impose Should Canada impose sanctions against Iran for its sanctions against Iran for its nuclear aspirations? nuclear aspirations?

Does Canada have the power Does Canada have the power to translate foreign policy into to translate foreign policy into meaningful change around the meaningful change around the world? When? Why? world? When? Why? Examples?Examples?

What is Canada’s global What is Canada’s global reputation? Is our reputation reputation? Is our reputation threatened?threatened?

What tools are at Canada’s What tools are at Canada’s disposal to further its interests disposal to further its interests around the world?around the world?

Implementing Canada’s Foreign Implementing Canada’s Foreign Policy Policy

Canada’s foreign policy is influenced by Canada’s foreign policy is influenced by internationally accepted codes of conduct and internationally accepted codes of conduct and its position as a middle powerits position as a middle power• Canada is sometimes able to influence and Canada is sometimes able to influence and

support developing countries and moderate support developing countries and moderate the activities of larger and more powerful the activities of larger and more powerful alliesallies

• Uses “soft” diplomatic measures such as Uses “soft” diplomatic measures such as trade, human rights discussions, and trade, human rights discussions, and humanitarian aid, to “hard” diplomacy such humanitarian aid, to “hard” diplomacy such as peacemaking (involving military action), as peacemaking (involving military action), economic sanctions, support for UN economic sanctions, support for UN resolutions condemning the conduct of resolutions condemning the conduct of statesstates

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada Canada’s MOST powerful federal Canada’s MOST powerful federal

department (ministry)department (ministry) Formally created in 1909 as the Dept. of Formally created in 1909 as the Dept. of

External Affairs. This was the first time External Affairs. This was the first time that Canada began to take control of its that Canada began to take control of its own foreign policy agenda (took full own foreign policy agenda (took full control in 1931)control in 1931)

Administratively separated into two Administratively separated into two departments until 2006: the Dept. of departments until 2006: the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the Dept. of International TradeInternational Trade

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada DFATD is a large, complex apparatus DFATD is a large, complex apparatus

made up of a few different made up of a few different organizations that have been merged organizations that have been merged progressively since 2006.progressively since 2006.

There used to be:There used to be: Dept. of Foreign AffairsDept. of Foreign Affairs Dept. of International TradeDept. of International Trade Canadian International Development Canadian International Development

AgencyAgency

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade merger

DFAIT -- Department of Foreign Affairs and DFAIT -- Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is the result of a (April International Trade is the result of a (April 1, 2006) reintegration of the departments 1, 2006) reintegration of the departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which is intended to bring greater which is intended to bring greater coherence in serving Canadian foreign coherence in serving Canadian foreign policy and trade interests. As such, DFAIT policy and trade interests. As such, DFAIT will participate in the activities and address will participate in the activities and address the Objectives of the two departments, as the Objectives of the two departments, as follows:follows:

– Foreign Affairs Canada represents Canada around the world through a Foreign Affairs Canada represents Canada around the world through a network of embassies and trade and diplomatic offices, and by network of embassies and trade and diplomatic offices, and by participating in multilateral institutions and international treaties and participating in multilateral institutions and international treaties and arrangementsarrangements

– Dept. of International Trade, responsible for positioning Canada as a Dept. of International Trade, responsible for positioning Canada as a world business leader for the 21st Century, and working to promote world business leader for the 21st Century, and working to promote prosperity by helping large and small Canadian companies expand prosperity by helping large and small Canadian companies expand and succeed internationally, by promoting Canada as a dynamic place and succeed internationally, by promoting Canada as a dynamic place to do business, and by negotiating and administering trade to do business, and by negotiating and administering trade agreements.agreements.

Understanding The Difference Understanding The Difference

Foreign Affairs CanadaForeign Affairs Canada• Manages Canada’s day-to-day international Manages Canada’s day-to-day international

relations in order to promote stability, prosperity, relations in order to promote stability, prosperity, and Canadian values in other countriesand Canadian values in other countries

• It works to achieve goals with international It works to achieve goals with international organizations through direct relations with other organizations through direct relations with other countries countries

• It coordinates Canada’s responses to international It coordinates Canada’s responses to international security, including protecting Canadians and security, including protecting Canadians and Canadian government facilities abroad, handling Canadian government facilities abroad, handling international terrorist acts involving Canadians international terrorist acts involving Canadians through diplomacy through diplomacy

Understanding The DifferenceUnderstanding The Difference

International Trade International Trade Role is to promote the country as a Role is to promote the country as a

business leader and to negotiate trade business leader and to negotiate trade agreements that will help Canadian agreements that will help Canadian business and compete in the international business and compete in the international marketplacemarketplace

Also responsible for regulating Canada’s Also responsible for regulating Canada’s imports and exportsimports and exports

International Development (Foreign International Development (Foreign Aid)Aid)

As the name suggests, this part of the As the name suggests, this part of the department is responsible for directing department is responsible for directing our aid money around the world, our aid money around the world, sometimes directly, and sometimes sometimes directly, and sometimes through IGOs, to those who need it.through IGOs, to those who need it.

There was lots of skepticism when There was lots of skepticism when CIDA (the Canadian International CIDA (the Canadian International Development Agency) was merged Development Agency) was merged with DFAIT. Why?with DFAIT. Why?

DFATD’s leadership

The Honourable John Baird (Bell Alumni – GO BRUINS!) (Bell Alumni – GO BRUINS!)Minister of Foreign AffairsMinister of Foreign AffairsJohn Baird was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in John Baird was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 and 2011.2008 and 2011.The Honourable Ed FastMinister of International TradeMinister of International TradeThe Honourable Ed Fast was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and The Honourable Ed Fast was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 and 2011.re-elected in 2008 and 2011.The Honourable Christian ParadisMinister of International Development and La FrancophonieMinister of International Development and La FrancophonieChristian Paradis was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-Christian Paradis was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 and 2011.elected in 2008 and 2011.The Honourable Lynne YelichMinister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)Lynne Yelich was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and re-elected in Lynne Yelich was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011.2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011.The Honourable Leona AglukkaqMinister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic CouncilDevelopment Agency and Minister for the Arctic CouncilLeona Aglukkaq was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and re-elected Leona Aglukkaq was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and re-elected in 2011.in 2011.

http://www.international.gc.ca/ministers-ministres/index.aspx?view=dhttp://www.international.gc.ca/ministers-ministres/index.aspx?view=d

Lastly…the Department of Defense and the Military

The Dept. of National Defense is NOT part of The Dept. of National Defense is NOT part of DFATDDFATD

Three major objectivesThree major objectives Protect CanadaProtect Canada Contribute to world peace and international Contribute to world peace and international

securitysecurity Protect Canadian interests abroadProtect Canadian interests abroad

The Military and the Government

The activities of the Canadian Forces The activities of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National and the Department of National Defence, like those of every other Defence, like those of every other federal government organization, are federal government organization, are carried out within a framework of carried out within a framework of legislation that is approved and legislation that is approved and overseen by Parliament.  overseen by Parliament. 

In most respects, the Department of In most respects, the Department of National Defence is an organization National Defence is an organization like other departments of government. like other departments of government.

Dept. of Defence

Under the law, the Canadian Forces are an Under the law, the Canadian Forces are an entity separate and distinct from the entity separate and distinct from the Department itself, but are still accountable Department itself, but are still accountable to the Minister to the Minister

As stated in the As stated in the National Defence ActNational Defence Act , the , the Department is headed by a Deputy Department is headed by a Deputy Minister of National Defence, the Minister of National Defence, the Department’s senior civil servant, while Department’s senior civil servant, while the Canadian Forces are headed by the the Canadian Forces are headed by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Canada’s senior Chief of the Defence Staff, Canada’s senior serving officer. serving officer.

Both are responsible to the Minister, who Both are responsible to the Minister, who is ultimately responsible to the Prime is ultimately responsible to the Prime Minister and the publicMinister and the public

Politics and the Military In a democracy, the military In a democracy, the military

is effectively controlled by is effectively controlled by political leaders. What does political leaders. What does this mean?this mean?

Spending controversies Spending controversies abound, and the military’s abound, and the military’s budget is one of the other budget is one of the other roles that the government roles that the government playsplays

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2012/apr/17/arms-http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2012/apr/17/arms-spending-map-worldspending-map-world

Current Debate – the F35s The first “controversy” The first “controversy”

arose regarding the arose regarding the sole-source purchase sole-source purchase process with process with Lockheed-MartinLockheed-Martin

Should we go with the Should we go with the Americans on this or Americans on this or shop around a bit?shop around a bit?

In July, 2010, the In July, 2010, the Canadian government Canadian government committed to the committed to the purchase of a new fleet of purchase of a new fleet of 65 F-35 fighter jets, at a 65 F-35 fighter jets, at a cost of $9billion, to cost of $9billion, to replace our aging fleet of replace our aging fleet of CF-18sCF-18s

We’ve backed off on this, We’ve backed off on this, but we’re still “looking but we’re still “looking into it, and other options” into it, and other options” for our Air Forcefor our Air Force

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBt-aQ1vObMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBt-aQ1vObM http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/04/30/kelly-http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/04/30/kelly-

mcparland-good-news-the-americans-hate-the-f-35-too/mcparland-good-news-the-americans-hate-the-f-35-too/ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/05/14/pol-f35-http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/05/14/pol-f35-

auditor-general-at-committee.htmlauditor-general-at-committee.html http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/03/politics-f35-http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/03/politics-f35-

milewski.htmlmilewski.html

F35 Controversy Explained The original cost estimate did not include The original cost estimate did not include

maintenance, which over the lifetime of maintenance, which over the lifetime of the airplanes, takes the cost to $46 billionthe airplanes, takes the cost to $46 billion

The opposition parties have accused the The opposition parties have accused the Conservative government of secrecy, lying Conservative government of secrecy, lying and spinning the truthand spinning the truth

A $16-billion contract to build fighter jets A $16-billion contract to build fighter jets would be one of the largest military would be one of the largest military projects in Canadian history, something projects in Canadian history, something the opposition says is noteworthy the opposition says is noteworthy considering recent cuts to the Public considering recent cuts to the Public Service and Federal government Service and Federal government programs, such as those provided the programs, such as those provided the Dept. of Veterans’ AffairsDept. of Veterans’ Affairs

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/veterans-affairs-faces-more-than-226-http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/veterans-affairs-faces-more-than-226-million-in-cuts/article558982/million-in-cuts/article558982/

Informal DebateInformal Debate

Do you think the government could put Do you think the government could put money to better use? ORmoney to better use? OR

Do you think military spending must be Do you think military spending must be increased to ensure that members of the increased to ensure that members of the Canadian Forces can safely fulfill their Canadian Forces can safely fulfill their roles as peacekeepers and defenders of roles as peacekeepers and defenders of Canada?Canada?

What might happen on the world stage to What might happen on the world stage to change your opinion?change your opinion?