8.5.4 Canadian Foreign Policy and Internationalism

Should internationalism be pursued?

Big Ideas:


All countries (including Canada) must decide how to balance their national self-interests with internationalism when creating its foreign policy. Canada works to promote its national interest in the international community. Global Affairs Canada (Canada's foreign policy department) has renewed their commitment to the following international goals for Canada.

  • Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • Eliminate poverty and inequality in Canada and overseas
  • Continued bilateral relationships, especially for economic and security partner the United States
  • Pursuit of United Nations Security Council seat in 2021 to 2022
  • Become a leader in combatting climate change

Reflect

Balancing national interests with foreign policy can be difficult. As you view Canada’s foreign policy goals (published in 2017), consider the extent that Canada’s national interests are reflected in our nation’s foreign policy.

In 2017 Canada's federal government specified the following goals (below). Explore each goal by clicking the tabs, and take notes in the 8.5.4 Notebook Organizer:


Summary: Contribute to international peace, security and humanitarian assistance.

Canada’s national interests:
  • Renewed leadership and constructive international engagement
  • Peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity
  • Rules-based, progressive and inclusive international agenda
  • Promoting Canadian peace and security interests
 Canada’s foreign policy to achieve this goal:
  • Invest in international conflict/peace operations
  • Involvement in the following: NORAD, NATO, and key bilateral and collective arrangements such as the EU, OSCE, and the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh*
  • Respond in a needs-based fashion to humanitarian crises.
  • Advance national interests in the UN, and pursue a UN Security Council seat.
*Daesh is a shortened acronym form, often used when referring to ISIS/ISIL groups

Summary: Reinforce Canada’s relations with the United States and other key bilateral partners to advance Canadian interests.


© Flickr
Canada’s national interests:
  • Economic and security interests as a US ally and partner
  • Strengthen current partnerships and pursue new strategic partners to be prepared in a changing global context
  • Advance national policy, trade, and security goals
 Canada’s foreign policy to achieve this goal:
  • Collaborate with the United States (economy, trade, security, defence, energy, environment, and international initiatives).
  • Develop strategies with China and nations in the Asia-Pacific region
  • Work with G7 members on policy, trade, and security issues


Summary: Strengthen Canada’s contribution to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.


© Flickr
Canada’s national interests:
  • Reduce poverty and inequality globally and at home.
  • Prosperity for all, accountable governments, gender equality, respect for human rights
  • Global investments to increase inclusive prosperity and peace, and security at home and abroad
 Canada’s foreign policy to achieve this goal:
  • Direct international assistance towards the poorest and most vulnerable people.
  • Economically empower women and girls.
  • Develop strategic partnerships to uphold Canadian values, such as inclusion, human rights, peaceful pluralism, diversity.
  • Contribute to protection and responsible environmental management.
  • Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries.


Contribute to inclusive Canadian and global prosperity through an increase and diversity in international trade, and foreign direct investment.

© Max Pixel
Canada’s national interests:
  • Expand trade and investment relationships for economic growth, and create jobs and new opportunities for Canadian businesses.
  • Promote prosperity for all by supporting economic growth in Canada.
  • Increase Canada’s trade and attract investment for job creation in Canada from outside the country.
  • Prioritize trade issues (labour, environment, gender equality, transparency, and economic inclusion).
 Canada’s foreign policy to achieve this goal:
  • Maintain and strengthen a rules-based trade environment.
  • Reduce trade barriers.
  • Increase and diversify Canadian exports and export markets through free trade agreements.
  • Expand trade with large fast-growing markets (China and India).
  • Expand existing trade links with partner nations (US, Europe, Japan).

As Canada continues to be involved in international organizations and initiatives, it is important to respond to challenging world events and swift changes in the political and economic landscape by continuing to balance our national self-interests and the interests of the international community.

Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read pages 237, 240 and 241 and take notes (click here if you need help taking notes).

In the 8.5.4 Organizer, compare Canada’s 2007/2008 foreign policy goals to the 2017 foreign policy goals. How much has changed in 10 years? Are today’s policy goals more reflective of Canada’s national interests in light of international priorities?
Take notes on what you have read and viewed using the 8.5.4 Notebook Organizer (Word, PDF, Google Doc). When you are finished, return here to continue.