The 'Asianification' of Canada
Article by
the Hon. David Kilgour, P.C., M.P.
Member of
Parliament for Edmonton Southeast and
Secretary
of State (Asia-Pacific)
Published
in the
National
Post
Wednesday,
July 31, 2002
In Canada's
Asia Crisis (FP, July 13), Yuen Pau Woo
makes a compelling argument for strengthening
Canada's relationship with the Asia-Pacific
region. While Canada's relations with the
Asia-Pacific may appear to have taken a
dip in the aftermath of the 1997 financial
crisis, our commitment to the region remains
unchanged and, if anything, our interest
is stronger than ever.
As Secretary
of State (Asia-Pacific), I see this commitment
every day. Time and time again, when I talk
with Canadians here or meet Canadian businesses
and their Asia-Pacific partners overseas,
the message that comes across is one of
optimism and potential, and the government
of Canada shares this excitement.
As Mr. Woo
indicates, Canadian investment in the region
is strong and stable. As a result, Canadian
companies are remarkably successful. These
companies, however, are not only reaping
rewards; they're also fuelling local economies
and leaving their mark. Manulife now has
24,000 staff and agents in Asia, two-thirds
of whom have joined the company in the past
five years. Many Canadian IT companies have
been particularly drawn to Japan; more than
40 have opened offices in Tokyo over the
last several years. Canada is the second
largest source of foreign direct investment
in South Korea—a staggering example
of engagement.
Clearly,
the region is vitally important, both in
terms of investment and in terms of trade.
While country-to-country trade figures may
fluctuate from year to year, the picture
is quite different when we look at the region
as a whole. The fact remains that our trade
across the Pacific now exceeds our trans-Atlantic
trade. In fact, Canada has recently opened
two new trade offices in Japan and another
two trade offices in India. The Canada China
Business Council has experienced similar
growth, adding three trade offices in China
in the past six months alone.
The enthusiasm
for the region is not lost on our youth.
Next month, I will have the privilege of
travelling to China with 32 of our brightest
future entrepreneurs—students from
across Canada who have been chosen to represent
more than 200 Canadian companies in a Junior
Team Canada trade mission to China and the
Philippines. The mission is an example of
the extent to which Canadians are interested
in the Asia-Pacific: Both the students and
their sponsors—mostly small and medium-sized
businesses—see Asia-Pacific as the
future. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
vigorously shares this vision, having led
two Team Canada trade missions to the region
in the last several years.
Clearly,
trade and investment are hugely important,
but our people-to-people links are just
as impressive. A vast number of our newcomers
are from Asia-Pacific, representing one
of our most valuable bonds. In 2001, for
example, a full 53% of immigrants to Canada
were of Asia-Pacific origin. China is currently
our greatest source; the Philippines is
number four.
The "Asianification"
of Canada places our country in a unique
position to take advantage of a globalized
world. At the same time, Canadians of Asia-Pacific
origin are helping to mold the business,
cultural and political landscape of our
country. The constituency of Edmonton Southeast,
which I've been honoured to represent for
over 20 years, is an excellent example.
The president of my riding association is
of Pakistani origin. The treasurer is from
Vietnam. Two vice-presidents are from India.
South of Vancouver, entire communities now
function in Mandarin or Cantonese. The majority
of our newcomers from China are skilled
workers such as computer specialists and
engineers, which we clearly need. In future
generations, our policy towards the region
will most certainly be shaped by communities
like these.
While Canadians
of Asia-Pacific origin are leaving their
mark on Canada, it works both ways. Consider
education: About 2,000 young Canadians are
currently teaching English in Korea and
Japan. These connections will last a lifetime.
At the same time, 56% of foreign students
studying in Canada in 2000 came from Asia-Pacific.
These are the leaders of tomorrow.
On the cultural
side, Canadian artists and performers are
enjoying increasing critical acclaim across
the Pacific. We're seeing frequent cultural
exchanges and tours—involving the likes
of the Group of Seven, Diana Krall, Tompson
Highway and the Cirque de Soleil.
We have also
been working with our Asia-Pacific partners
to promote peace and security in the region,
particularly in the areas of peacekeeping,
peacebuilding and human rights. As an example,
Canada has played an active role in the
crisis in East Timor. Twenty of our civilian
police officers remain on the ground; the
head of the UN Mission in the new country
is Canadian—Peter Miller of the RCMP.
There's no
denying Asia-Pacific has been and continues
to be vital to Canada. Asia-Pacific, in
this sense, is not just a region -- it is
a region of opportunities and promise, a
partner and a friend. With all the successes
Canadians have enjoyed to date, our relationship
can only continue to flourish. While Mr.
Woo may be right in noting that Asia may
not have the same cachet in the eyes of
Canadians since 1997, the relationships
are stronger, deeper and more mature. Canada
has not turned its back on Asia.
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