CANADA: Foreign Policy and Internationalism

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CANADA Foreign Policy and Internationalism

• Chapter 12

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In what ways does Canada seek co-operation in its
foreign policy?

• Our identity as a country, helps shape our
  interactions with other nations and international
  actions affect our identity.
• We know that foreign policy can take one of three
  forms when it comes to internationalism.
• Unilateralism
• Bilateralism
• Multilateralism
• For Canadians, multilateralism has been the
  approach most favored when addressing
  international concerns, although Canada does have
  bilateral relations with the United States

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The importance of multilateralism for Canadian
foreign policy is underscored in the following
statement. Canada has long understood that
multilateral co-operation is essential if the
world is to make progress in preventing and
ending conflict, promoting sustainable
development and enabling commerce.. Foreign
Affairs and International Trade Canada
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vuUveQiNxBaksafeac
tive
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CANADA A HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING
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In the beginning
After its roles in The Great War and World War
Two, recognition of Canadas accomplishments and
achievements allowed our nation to emerge from
the shadow of the British Empire. However,
Canada soon found itself being overshadowed by
the materializing super power to the souththe
U.S.A.
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Participation in international ventures, such as
the Korean War, allowed Canada to take an active
role in world affairs, but these undertakings did
not fully meet the needs of Canadian foreign
policy. Canada had not yet found a comfortable
role in which to exercise its middle-power
status.
Canadian Korean War Memorial with 516 plaques.
Canadian Korean War veterans, below.
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Canada also faced the problem of avoiding too
great an American influence on its foreign
policy. The United States was the dominant member
in many of the collective security organizations
that had been created in the post-war years.
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Canada finds her place
Ultimately, however, Canada was able to find a
role that was perfectly suited to its national
temperament and middle-power status. The role
that Canada created for itself was that of
mediator and peacemaker. Canada became recognized
for its efforts to use quiet diplomacy to resolve
international disputes.
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Peacekeeping is an important part of our Canadian
heritage and identity, which reflects our
personality and fundamental beliefs.
Peacekeeping is a pillar of Canadian foreign
policy and our contribution to an international
security system. Canada has been involved in
Peacekeeping missions for over fifty years and
been participating in a majority of missions
given by the United Nations Security Council.
Canada has built a strong reputation for being
active peacekeepers throughout the world.
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Between 1947 and the present, Canada has
participated in almost 40 UN peacekeeping
missions. More than 100,000 soldiers have served
as peacekeepers. Over 600 Canadians have given
their lives in U.N. Peacekeeping missions. Suez
Crisis (1956 - 1967) Cyprus (1964
1993) Somalia (1992 1993) Yugoslavia (1992
1995)
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Lester B. Pearson
In 1956 the word 'peacekeeping' became popular
thanks to Canada's 14th Prime Minister.
Lester B. Pearson, the Canadian Secretary of
State for External Affairs and then later the
Canadian Prime Minister, proposed the development
of an international peace force under the control
of the United Nations. He was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1957 for his visionary idea.
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http//www.youtube.com/watch?vrqYuRh78-_4
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• Canada does not only become involved with
  peacekeeping and peacemaking missions from the
  United Nations, but from other international and
  national organizations as well, such as North
  Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Kosovo (1999)
• NATO's reason for entering the conflict was
  humanitarian it wanted to stop the Serbian
  persecution of Kosovo Albanians, whom the
  Serbian military systematically attacked and
  killed

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• Afghanistan (2001)
• Canadas efforts in Afghanistan are focused on
  four priorities
• promoting regional diplomacy
• helping deliver humanitarian assistance.
• investing in the future of Afghan children and
  youth through development programming in
  education and health
• advancing security, the rule of law and human
  rights

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• Recently, the role of peacekeeping has evolved to
  include
• the delivery of humanitarian aid
• the supervision of elections
• the distributions of refugees
• the disarming of weapons of mass destruction
• the repairing of destroyed landscapes and
  habitat
• the support for government and human rights,
  including elections
• the training of police forces and judiciary.
• Current peacekeeping activities now involve many
  Canadian civilians, in addition to the Canadian
  Armed Forces.

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Despite the significant costs -- both human and
financial -- of peacekeeping, Canadians are
generally supportive of their country's
activities in this field. Canadians realize that
in taking on this difficult, and often
unappreciated, task, their soldiers are making a
significant contribution to the international
community.
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http//www.youtube.com/watch?vfzwzANFe5FM
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Global Energy and the Oil Sands
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Major oil companies from around the globe (USA,
Britain, China, Norway, Japan, etc.) are
currently investing billions of dollars in oil
production in Northern Alberta
Development of the Tar Sands are both an
international and Canadian venture. Canada has
the resources, yet requires the financial
backing, labor force, and experience of other
nations to help increase further production
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http//www.youtube.com/watch?vhgLv0FW_wMUsafeac
tive
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Questions Canada has to Consider

• How does oil sand production in Alberta effect
  the rest of the globe? Positives? Negatives?
• How will becoming a global energy player affect
  Canadas foreign policy and our relationships
  between other nations?
• How might Canadas environmental commitments to
  other countries around the world influence oil
  production in Alberta?
• What are Canadas options if other governments
  impose trade restrictions or embargos on dirty
  oil from the oil sands?

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International Organizations, Laws and Agreements
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• Nations need ways to interact with one another
  that ensure fair dealings. International law ,
  supranational organizations and treaties are some
  ways to try and control how nations treat one
  another.
• Some examples are..
• United Nations
• African Union
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
• North American Treaty Organization (NATO)
• North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD)

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https//www.youtube.com/watch?vbHmXZXsABm0
United Nations African Union World
Trade Organization (WTO)
https//www.youtube.com/watch?vFozisS3LHcI
https//www.youtube.com/watch?v27J3CByXKow