Government of Canada Releases International Policy Statement

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

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 http://www.international.gc.ca.

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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

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Government of Canada Releases International Policy Statement