Chapter 12: Internationalism and Foreign Policy. continentalism is the belief that Canada should seek closer ties with the United States

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1 Chapter 12: Internationalism and Foreign Policy continentalism is the belief that Canada should seek closer ties with the United States Canadian Foreign Policy * may take the form of multilateralism, in which various nations or nation-states co-operate; unilateralism, in which a state acts alone; or bilateralism, in which two states work together * for Canadians, multilateralism has traditionally been the approach most favoured, although Canada has had bilateral relations with the United States * according to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, foreign affairs will have a key role in pursuing a new multilateralism that: advances democracy through good governance, human rights protection and respect for diversity supports more effective sustainable development strategies strengthens international development, including health policy coordination

2 streamlines and modernizes our multilateral diplomacy for greater effectiveness Becoming a Global Energy Player * major oil companies from around the world are investing billions of dollars in oil production in northern Alberta * some believe that the oil sands could become the biggest industrial project on earth making Canada a possible global energy superpower * oil sands have huge environmental impacts such as: the burning of fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gases toxic tailing ponds * in April 2007, Canadian gov t made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (20% by 2020) Canadian Peacekeeping and Foreign Aid * the United Nations defines peacekeeping as a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace

3 * because of Canada s role in the Suez Canal to maintain peace, the United Nations built on the idea to assist countries around the world, bringing in many nations to help Canada in Afghanistan * Canada was involved in the war in Afghanistan before the United Nations peacekeeping was established * after the attacks on September 11, 2001, Canada sent a naval task force to the Persian Gulf and a battle group was sent to back the United States troops to oust the Taliban * concerns about Afghanistan included: it is seen as a base for terrorist activity human rights abuse women s rights were restrictive * the United Nations decided to get involved and many countries assisted by sending in troops and materials

4 * Canada has sent troops, provided security, rebuilt hospitals, schools, police forces, etc. and basically help the people Foreign Aid * many gov ts around the world work with one another to improve the quality of life of people in developing countries * these countries try to combat issues such as: poverty human rights violations famine AIDS health concerns Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) * works with other countries to support sustainable development in developing countries * offers humanitarian assistance in areas of need

5 * the Tsunami of 2004 was a powerful example of why nation-states around the world might choose to become involved in international efforts to provide support and assistance * more than 150,000 people were dead or missing and millions were homeless in 11 countries * the Canadian gov t coordinated with gov ts and organizations in the affected countries of the tsunami in many ways including: CIDA became responsible for over $280 million of gov t commitments to begin the task of rebuilding Canadian Space Agency (CSA) shared satellite images of the disaster region to assist in defining the damage and planning for recovery Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) sped up the immigration of over 350 people from the disaster area to be reunited with Canadian family members Department of Finance Canada allowed a delay on payments of debts held by the affected nations

6 Department of National Defense (DND) sent the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to provide clean water, medical assistance, and transportation Public Health Agency of Canada allowed part of the National Emergency Stockpile Systems (NESS) to ship water containers, blankets, medicines, and generators to affected areas RCMP sent a team of ten forensic specialists to assist in the identifying of the dead * Canadian gov t also pledged to match dollar for dollar any amount raised by Canadians ($213 million) International Organizations, Laws, and Agreements supranationalism is when nations put aside their self-interests to work with other nations for the good of the collective, or for global good

7 Examples of Supranational Organizations United Nations developed in 1945 and its purpose is to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems African Union (AU) works toward improving and securing democracy, human rights, and a stable economy in Africa primary objectives are: to eradicate poverty to place African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development to halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy to accelerate the empowerment of women

8 World Trade Organization (WTO) is a group of nation-states who work together to resolve trade issues The WTO promotes: equal treatment of foreign and national companies in terms of trade reduction in gov t involvement in commerce (through tariffs, concessions, and regulations) free trade between nations * the WTO has been criticized for benefiting rich countries and not poorer ones and allows rich and powerful countries to control less powerful countries International Law and Treaties * international law is one way to control how nations treat one another * NATO is an example of a multinational military treaty (26 nations) designed to promote a strong defensive posture to the world

9 * it has transformed itself into more of a supranational agency by becoming a more general security force designed broadly to protect the global interests of the member nations * North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is another military treaty. It is responsible for monitoring space, in particular, the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America (by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles) * war crime trials is one way to force all nations to be accountable for their actions (ex. Nuremberg Trials) * nations also enter into international treaties to address other issues, such as environmental degradation (ex. Kyoto Protocol bring world climate change under control)