Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
of Canada du Canada
Canada and
Priorities
the Americas
& Progress
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009
Catalogue number: FR5-41/1-2009
ISBN 978-0-662-06708-5
Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Colombian Integral Rehabilitation Centre in Bogota, Colombia, during his visit to Latin
America and the Caribbean in July 2007
In July 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Since then, Canada has been for the Americas. With a sustained,
Harper’s tour to South America fully and actively engaged with collaborative and consistent effort,
and the Caribbean launched a new a number of partners in the working with partners in the
beginning for Canada’s engagement region to advance a wide range of hemisphere over time, Canada can
in the western hemisphere. common interests – from trade contribute to ensuring that citizens
During his visit, the Prime Minister and investment to education, from in the region see improvements
described the government’s vision development assistance to sharing now and in the future.
for Canada and the Americas: of best practices and information
on pandemics, and from policing The Americas are and will remain
to the monitoring of elections. a foreign policy priority for
A more democratic, In November 2008, the Prime Canada. Canadians have much
prosperous, and secure Minister underlined Canada’s to gain by being involved in the
region that creates stability continuing commitment to the region, and they also have much to
and opportunity for its Americas through the appointment contribute. As the region tackles
citizens. of a Minister of State of Foreign the current global economic crisis,
Affairs with special responsibility Canada’s economic leadership
$ Millions (CAD)
$ Millions (CAD)
30 29.5 Haiti
Bolivia
25
Caribbean Region
% Growth Year over Year
21
20.2 Peru
20
16.5 Honduras
15 14 Columbia
Inter-American*
10 8.2
7.2
5.8 *Inter-American is a grouping of reg
5 *Source: Statistics Canada (Prelimin
2.3
0.9
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Simply put, Canada’s commitment to democratic governance, economic prosperity and security is
closely linked with those of our hemispheric neighbours. What affects the Americas has a direct
impact on Canada. Canada is well placed, by our location, our contacts and by our reputation, to
make a difference.
Mexico $23,740.4
$ Millions (CAD)
South America $15,982.5
Caribbean $4,864.0
Central America $1,545.5
The advancement of this vision requires a sustained, consistent and focused effort that is based on the
following instruments:
A mechanical systems engineer on board HMCS St. John’s delivers humanitarian aid to a local citizen in Port au Prince, Haiti in September 2008
Canada’s engagement in the Americas is guided by its vision, and is advanced through these collaborative instruments.
Throughout this report are examples of Canada’s engagement in the Americas. They are intended to demonstrate
how Canada is making progress on the government’s vision for the Americas through the right mix of bilateral,
multilateral and partnership instruments, to ensure effective, meaningful results. Rather than being exhaustive, they
are illustrative. Consult the Annex for a more detailed listing of Canada’s activities, or visit www.americas.gc.ca.
© DFAIT Photo
Youth enjoying their computer facilities at the Museo de los Niños, San Jose, Costa Rica
Foreign Affairs and International and develop strategies for the Charter and to assist citizen groups
Trade Canada’s (DFAIT) Glyn defence of civil society in the and other domestic actors that
Berry Program has allocated region, and increase awareness work in concert with the Charter’s
over $1 million of its democracy in the international community principles to tackle the root causes
support funding to the Americas. about the challenges facing civil of potential democratic crises.
Part of this funding has supported society. Similarly, Canada supported
the development of a strong the development of the Andean Building transparent and
and vibrant civil society, free and Democracy Research Network accountable institutions
open media outlets, and research which produces timely, impartial in Haiti
networks focusing on democracy and high-quality assessments of
Canada recognizes that institutions
issues in the region. For example, democracy in the Andean region.
are the building blocks of
in March 2008, Canada supported The network also provides a forum
democratic governance. To this
the OAS convening a special to analyze and debate ways to
end, Canada is working with
meeting of the Permanent strengthen the implementation of
Haiti to transform the police, the
Council with representatives the Inter-American Democratic
judiciary and the prison systems
from civil society to examine Charter.
into professional and accountable
the contribution of civil society
Another example is Canada’s institutions. In partnership with
organizations to strengthening
support to the Carter Center the Royal Canadian Mounted
democratic culture in the
which has facilitated a series of Police (RCMP) and Correctional
hemisphere.
workshops with journalists and Services Canada (CSC), DFAIT has
Canada has also supported the media professionals to address facilitated the deployment of police
creation of the first broad-based the political polarization in the and correctional officers to the
civil society network of democracy Venezuelan media. With Canada’s United Nations Stabilization Mission
champions in Latin America. The support, the Carter Center has in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to provide
network provides over 90 civil also engaged with governments practical advice that has led to
society organizations with the to encourage the application of security sector reforms.
space to exchange best practices the Inter-American Democratic
Until the current global financial resulted in wealth and job creation trade and investment as means
downturn, the Americas had in all the countries involved. Based to reduce poverty and promote
experienced several years of on these results, Canada signed sustainable development.
sustained economic growth, FTAs with Peru and Colombia in
with significant evolution in the 2008. These initiatives also include
macroeconomic policies of most parallel agreements on labour and A snapshot of trade and
countries demonstrated by greater environment standards that commit investment in the region
openess to trade and investment. Canada and its partners to working
According to the Economic together to ensure high levels of • The relationship between Canada
Commission for Latin America protection for workers and the and Brazil has advanced through
and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the environment. the years. They are among the
regional domestic growth rate was top 10 largest sources of FDI
4.6 percent in 2008. Canada is also currently advancing in each other’s economies, and
the negotiation of FTAs with both are major exporting nations
In this region of dynamic economic Panama, Dominican Republic, and energy producers. Canada
opportunities, Canada is pursuing the Caribbean Community has identified Brazil as a priority
robust bilateral and regional free (CARICOM), and the Central market in its Global Commerce
trade agreements (FTAs), double America Four (Guatemala, Strategy, and is increasing its
taxation agreements, foreign Honduras, Nicaragua and presence in Brazil by opening
investment protection agreements, El Salvador). To advance Canada’s two additional trade offices
stronger financial and banking commitment to trade liberalization, in 2009, in Porto Alegre and
institutions, and a development CIDA has developed an $18 million Recife, for a total of five. Similarly,
assistance agenda. Trade-Related Technical Assistance Brazil’s Export and Investment
(TRTA) Program to assist FTA Promotion Agency (APEX) has
Canada’s experiences with the partners in the Americas. This made Canada one of its top
North American Free Trade support will assist partners in priority markets in 2009. The
Agreement (NAFTA) and FTAs maximizing the benefits of increased recent purchase of Inco by Vale
with Chile and Costa Rica have of Brazil has propelled Brazil to
the rank of seventh-largest source
of FDI in Canada and the largest
Canada’s merchandise exports to Latin America Stocks of Foreign Direct Investment int
and the Caribbean, 2001-2008*
source from Central and South
Canada from LAC 2001-2007*
America.
20
• Merchandise trade between
10,000
Canada and Chile 18 has more than $16,587
9,000
tripled since the Canada-Chile
16
8,000
Free Trade Agreement came
14
7,000
$ Millions (CAD)
$ Millions (CAD)
6,000
into force in 1997, 12
growing to
5,000
$2.5 billion in 2008.
10 According
4,000 to Industry Canada,8Canada is $7,565
the largest source of foreign $6,654
3,000 6 $5,375
investment in Chile’s mining $4,810
2,000 $4,058
4
1,000 sector.
2
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
*Excludes Mexico *Includes Mexico
*Source: Statistics Canada (Preliminary data subject to revision) *Source: Statistics Canada (Preliminary data subject to revision)
30 29.5 Haiti
Annual growth in Canadian merchandise exports, Ann
2004-2008* (in mi
30 29.5
25
Economic prosperity, however, Strong Canadian partnerships Over the past five years, CCC Ca
$ Millions (CAD)
order to improve the management South America $15,982.5
of state resources. Caribbean $4,864.0
Central America $1,545.5
New International Airport in Quito, Ecuador, a $413 million project through the Canadian Commercial Corporation
Security threats in the region range Commission (CICAD). Canada’s Americas, whose mandate includes
from crime, violence and drugs to annual contributions provide support interdiction, cargo examination,
health epidemics and natural disasters. for efforts in the region to address intelligence liaison and anti-fraud
These challenges transcend territorial drug control, corruption and human activities.
boundaries, affecting Canadians and trafficking issues, provide training
other citizens in the Americas.The and technical assistance aimed Canada also plays a role in enhancing
economic downturn - whose impacts at improving international legal transportation security through
include reduced remittances and cooperation, and support mentoring aviation and marine networks. In
employment opportunities - also programs and criminal justice reform, particular, Canada co-chairs (with
risks deepening security challenges among other efforts. Colombia) a regional consultative
in the months and years ahead. group and funds capacity-building
Canada is closely engaged with activities through the Group of
Canada’s anti-crime efforts in the counterpart customs administrations Experts on Aviation Safety, Security
region are largely conducted through in the hemisphere to secure its and Assistance, a committee of the
the United Nations Office on Drugs borders.The Canada Border Services Summit of the Americas process.
and Crime (UNODC) and the Agency (CBSA) has a network of
OAS Inter-American Drug Control 16 border officers posted in the
© DND Photo: MCpl Robin Mugridge, Formation Imagining Services
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Iroquois, joined by HMC Ships Calgary and Protecteur, in April 2008 leaving for a six-month maritime security mission that
began with surveillance operations in the Caribbean
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Governor General Michaëlle Jean during her visit
to Haiti in January 2009
Canada and CARICOM leaders meet during the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, April 2009
Canada-Americas faster customs clearances and This initiative will allow for
Trade-Related Technical improved health, safety and labour increased flexibility in electoral
Assistance Program standards for eligible countries mission management as well as
wishing to trade with Canada. leverage multi-donor funding.
Canada will provide $18 million For the period 2008-2010 it is
over five years to help countries Support to the OAS’ expected that there will be over
that have signed, or are about to Hemispheric Electoral 30 elections in the region, and
sign, free trade agreements with Assistance Initiative the OAS will likely be invited to
Canada. The Canada-Americas observe a number of them.
Trade-Related Technical Assistance Canada will contribute $5 million
Program (TRTA) will provide to the OAS’ Hemispheric
advice and training to partner Electoral Assistance Initiative,
governments and institutions. It is a program that seeks to help
aimed at helping trade partners countries in Latin America and
and potential trade partners the Caribbean to improve the
in the Americas maximize the transparency and effectiveness
opportunities and benefits of of their elections, including
increased trade and investment. organization, administration and
The key results of this program spending. Support to the OAS
will be increased two-way trade will increase its ability to rapidly
with Canada, improved market deploy election observers, leading
access and better regulatory to increased voter confidence
reform, all of which will lead to in the democratic processes
and institutions of their country.
• Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) • Canada worked with the government of Costa Rica to
recently completed a study looking at Western hold a workshop on international refugee protection
Canada’s potential business opportunities with in Costa Rica in August 2008. Organized through the
Latin America. In March 2009, WD hosted DFAIT Regional Conference on Migration with the support
Trade Commissioners from Latin America and the of the UNHCR, the three-day workshop focused
Caribbean (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa on legislation and programs for migration patterns.
Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Representatives of governments and civil society
Trinidad and Tobago and DFAIT-Headquarters) from 12 countries as well as several international
to enhance their knowledge of western Canada’s organizations attended.
technology capabilities. • Canada was invited as an observer to the emerging
• As a follow-up to a business networking event Pacific Arc meetings hosted by Latin America
organized by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency countries with Pacific coasts, and is also following the
(ACOA) and DFAIT on the margins of the CDB development of the Partnership for Prosperity in the
annual meeting held in Halifax in May 2008. ACOA Americas (PPA) as an emerging vehicle for dialogue.
led a delegation of business leaders and educational
institutions from Nova Scotia on a trade mission to
Barbados and Jamaica in June 2008, in collaboration
with EduNova and Nova Scotia Business Inc. A follow-
up trade mission for Nova Scotia companies took
place in Saint Lucia and Jamaica in March 2009.