Canadian Foreign Policy

What to Watch for this Summer 0
- Analysis
- June 14, 2017
We asked our CIPS experts to give us a heads-up on what to watch for this summer. No one can predict the next coup or terrorist attack, of course, but we can be certain of some things. Donald Trump will …
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Defence Review: A Realistic Plan That’s Bound to Disappoint 0
- Analysis
- June 14, 2017
The Liberal government finally released on June 7, after 18 months of anticipation, its new defence policy. As with any other official policy document, and especially defence policies, it is important to remember that its value is limited. A comparison …
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A New Defence Policy for a New World Disorder?0
- Analysis
- June 12, 2017
Today’s world is sometimes described as “post-truth, post-West, post-order.” This week Canada received three maps for navigating it: first the House of Commons foreign policy speech by Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, then the Defence Policy Review, and finally …
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The G7 Disruptor 0
- Analysis
- June 1, 2017
The G7 is traditionally praised for its solidarity and collegiality, but the May 26–27 summit saw a very fragile partnership with an unapologetic disruptor at the table. The summit, and the NATO summit the day before, had its technical successes, …
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Geopolitical Policy Challenges on a New Canadian Path, Part 2: The New Leadership and Canada 0
- Analysis
- May 3, 2017
Following on Part 1, this section extends the discussion of disrupting factors to explore what could be key changes and how Canada might respond to a new global order. For Part 1 of this post, click here.

Canadian public …
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Geopolitical Policy Challenges on a New Canadian Path, Part 1: New Disrupting Forces 0
- Analysis
- May 3, 2017
Canada needs to move beyond a policy perspective largely shaped by relations with the US and EU and build upon partnerships with the Global South.

The future is always hard to predict, but we already know that there is …
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What to Look for in Canada’s New White Paper on Defence 0
- Analysis
- April 24, 2017
Canada’s defence policy review statement is slated to be released in May 2017, a week or two before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travels to Brussels on May 25 for a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) heads of …
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What if Canada and Mexico Said No to Renegotiating NAFTA?0
- Analysis
- April 7, 2017
Last week, acting United States trade representative Stephen Vaughn sent a draft notification letter to Congress indicating the President’s intention to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, the very same agreement that Trump qualified …
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Harper Lite? The Trudeau Government on Foreign Aid 0
- Analysis
- April 2, 2017
Shifting from petty and mean to sunny ways, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has done a remarkable job of changing the tone of Canada’s international engagement. When it comes to foreign aid, however, the rhetoric has not been matched by action. …
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CANZUK: Marching Backward to Empire 0
- Analysis
- February 24, 2017
“As Prime Minister, I will actively pursue a Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand trade and security pact, including freedom to live, work, and invest in these countries.”

So says Conservative leadership candidate Erin O’Toole on his website — a bold …
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Changes South of the Border Offer both Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Agriculture in Canada 0
- Analysis
- February 23, 2017
By Ryan M. Katz-Rosene, Marie-Josée Massicotte, and Christopher Kelly-Bisson

A number of obstacles presently stand in the way of efforts to make Canada’s agricultural system more sustainable. A heavy reliance on chemical inputs, industrial processing, and long distances between farm …
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Border Challenges Set to Test Canada’s Welcoming Self-Image 0
- Analysis
- February 15, 2017
Canadians are on the brink of a difficult test: are we prepared to live up to our stated commitments to tolerance by welcoming immigrants and refugees who fear living in Trump’s America?

Canadians often describe Canada as a welcoming country, …
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