GPS 2.0: A Critique of the Canadian International Council’s Open Canada: Global Positioning Strategy

Critique Summary
Jacob Helliwell | May, 2011

The results of the 2010 Security Council rotational-seat election shocked those who advocate proactive Canadian foreign policy. After decades of tangible contributions to the international community, foreign governments are questioning Canada’s ability to continue its own national tradition. Yet the pit is not the grave. If anything, the announcement has strengthened the resolve of Canadian foreign policy advocates. Indeed this development was one of the motivations behind this critique.

With a core of thirteen students, the Canadian International Council (CIC) Club at the University of Victoria provided a constructive critique of Open Canada: a Global Position Strategy to help the CIC meaningfully influence Canadian foreign policy. Over the last 10 months, we delved into Open Canada to build on its already compelling arguments.

Our club members, representing a wide variety of programs at UVic, freely gave of their time to research and critique this document. Our analysis of Open Canada was presented to the CIC’s Victoria Branch on March 10th, 2011. This successful event saw several CIC members and students deliberate over the pressing issues of our time, further fuelling our interest in Canadian foreign policy and catalyzing the creation of our critique.

The full length critique is divided into nine chapters, the ideas of which are summarized here. Although all the chapters of our critique are related to one another, they were written by various authors with a level of exclusivity. The final chapter, however, ties all the critiques together as our concluding thoughts and provides an overall verdict on Open Canada. Although this executive summary provides a general overview of our work, we encourage you explore the full critique for our full analysis.

Chapter 1 of our critique analyzes the longstanding relationship between Canada and the United States. Despite the rise of economic giants such as China and India, America is and will continue to be Canada’s most import trading partner. It is crucial for Canada to foster a close relationship with America to ensure our continued access into this vital market. Recent events, however, most notably 9/11, have thickened the American border. To maintain an open border, chapter 1 argues that Canada must implement a comprehensive strategy that focuses on security and regulatory changes over the short, medium, and long term.

Chapter 2 analyzes development and humanitarian assistance. While the GPS Panel proposes a return to peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance once Canada’s mission in Afghanistan concludes, Open Canada hardly mentions the intimate relationship between humanitarian assistance and development. Because humanitarian crises often stem from failed development strategies – or a lack of development altogether – they are mutually reinforcing. Unfortunately, development is not at the forefront of Canadian foreign policy. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) operates at arm’s-length from Ottawa and is marred by decades of political obstacles. The GPS Panel proposes distancing CIDA from the federal government even further, and splintering it into different agencies that have more specific mandates. We argue, conversely, that integrating CIDA into the foreign policy decision-making circle, instead of distancing it, will more adequately address the problems inherent to the organization.

Chapter 3 of the critique focuses on Canada’s trade and international commerce policies, as well as Canada’s policies on research, development, and human resources. The GPS Panel recommends that Ottawa liberalize the nation’s economy to the world market and ratify agreements that facilitate trade with and investment into Canada. Chapter 3 examines some of the problems found in the GPS Panel’s strategy, and outlines alternative ways to achieve the goal of a liberalized and robust Canadian economy in the international arena. The prosperity of Canada, like any other country, also flows from the efficient use of human resources. As a net importer of skilled labour, Canada is well positioned to fully exploit the skills of its inhabitants. Yet declining spending in research and development (R&D) threatens Canada’s economy – a trend that must be reversed. Additionally, tapping into the expertise found in Canada’s immigrant communities will increase our national prosperity, and overseas Canadians should be encouraged to return home. This can be accomplished using incentive programs and an effective immigration strategy.

Chapter 4 reviews the GPS Panel’s recommendations pertaining to Canada’s relations with China and India. While India and China are valued for different reasons, Canada needs to seriously discuss furthering trade and partnerships with these countries. However, while a conversation on growth, prosperity, and trade must be promoted, we must also acknowledge differing notions of citizenship. Canada must pursue a relationship with India and China that resembles an equitable partnership rather than one that disproportionately privileges western ideals.

Chapter 5 pertains to Canada’s relationship with Mexico, as well as the latter’s struggle to overcome bloody drug wars, corruption, and barriers to economic growth. Although many social, political, and economic forces shape the relationship between Canada and Mexico, Open Canada makes clear that Mexico matters. While the GPS Panel’s recommendations are substantively strong, the authors should be careful to maintain a level of objectivity and progressiveness. We should not, as the language of Open Canada seems to do, justify Canada’s involvement in Mexico on only economic gains.

Chapter 6 covers Open Canada’s approach to our nation’s Arctic policy. Described as Canada’s “diplomatic motherlode,” the GPS Panel underscores that the Arctic has become a major issue in Canadian politics and beyond. We now recognize the Arctic as a crucial Canadian asset. While many Canadians wish to explore the region for the vast resources that lay under melting ice caps, we must advocate for the diverse cultures and groups that inhabit the Canadian Arctic. In part, Canada’s geographic diversity makes the country such a desirable nation. Canada must recognize the plethora of interests in the Arctic and work diligently with other circumpolar nations and important stakeholders.

Chapter 7 explores the rapidly changing security climate of the 21st century. While this chapter commends Open Canada for focusing on global stability, and contributes to a discussion on Canada’s security organisations, the chapter also raises several critiques. The GPS Panel’s recommendation for expanded maritime operations needs elaboration. What changes, for example, would accompany a transfer of the Coast Guard to the Ministry of Public Safety? The recommendation to expand NORAD into maritime security lacks clarity and must discuss how to prevent Washington from unilaterally determining defence policy in our waters. The GPS Panel should also lend more discussion to asymmetric threats such as maritime piracy, cyber-attacks and terrorism – three crimes that have devastating social, political, and economic impacts.

In Chapter 8 we explore one of the most prevalent external-critiques of Canada, Alberta’s oil sands. Open Canada describes the oil sands as Canada’s ‘next seal hunt’ since this controversial activity tarnishes Canada’s international reputation. This is exacerbated by Ottawa’s continued absence from or obstruction of international environmental negotiations, and its failure to abide by the treaties that culminate from those negotiations. Therefore, in order to truly improve Canada’s image, Open Canadamust emphasize the need for Canada’s involvement in international agreements and it must call for more environmentally-sustainable methods of natural resource extraction.

Open Canada is an admirable attempt to correct the short fallings of Canada’s foreign policy. While the document’s suggestions provide many convincing solutions to today’s challenges, there are ways to improve them – something this critique addresses. Nonetheless, by even inciting this critique, Open Canada succeeds in its mission to promote a serious discussion about our role in the world. Like the GPS Panel, the CIC Club at UVic recognizes that an informed and involved Canadian public will help bring about the much needed transformation in Canada’s foreign policy. Without a nationwide conversation on the pressing issues of our time, we cannot uproot ideas that are either obsolete or inspired by dubious principles. Consequently, we hope that our critique builds on the GPS Panel’s already compelling arguments for a new foreign policy that restores Canada’s ability to unite, inspire, and lead. In the end, this was a very rewarding extra-curricular research project for the club and we appreciate the CIC’s continued support of our efforts.

Read full report GPS 2.0: A Critique of the Canadian International Council’s Open Canada