Public consultation essential to foreign policy

By David Kilgour
Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
December 1997

Traditionally, foreign policy was an area in which Canadians generally were seldom involved by governments. History is filled with treaties and declarations signed by diplomats and officials with virtually no input from anyone else, including parliamentarians.

That tradition has been changing of late; it was thanks in large part to the concerns of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and members of the public that the Canadian government became active in efforts to achieve an international ban on anti-personnel land mines.

In the spirit of seeking public involvement in foreign policy, I undertook an "Outreach" trip to Edmonton recently to hear what ordinary Canadians thought about Canada’s relations with the roughly 80 countries of Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean.

As Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa, I work with many others in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In particular, I assist Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi, and Diane Marleau, Minister for International Cooperation and Francophonie. My counterpart, Raymond Chan, is Secretary of State (Asia Pacific).

Over three days in Edmonton, I met as many Albertans as possible, representing a wide range of perspectives: business people, NGOs, academics, students, immigrant communities, international financial institution representatives, and media. There was also a town hall meeting that was open to the general public.

Team Canada

The kinds of comments and questions received varied greatly. Business people are interested in opportunities for trade and investment, especially in Latin America. Many wanted more information about the Team Canada trade mission in early 1998 to Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Others had specific concerns relating to their own efforts to move into international markets.

NGOs want Canada to live up to its international aid commitments. They want to see funds restored that would allow them to educate Canadians about international development issues. Many voiced concerns about the social impact of globalization, and the significance of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) that is currently being negotiated. Many share my own concerns about human rights and democratic development. The meeting with NGOs was an opportunity to learn more first-hand about the excellent work that many of these organizations do internationally.

A very lively and frank discussion took place at a meeting organized to hear from immigrant communities from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. It highlighted the diversity of concerns of people from individual countries in these areas. Yet there were common themes. Newcomer communities rightly see themselves as a "pool of talent" that is valuable in Canada’s efforts to reach out to the world. As people familiar with both cultures, they are well placed to assist Canadian businesses and government in reaching the countries their countries of origin.

Perceptions of Canada

Many expressed the view that Canada can do more to raise our international profile, even though our image abroad is usually a good one. Exchanges of students, workers, and culture are important both for raising Canada’s image, and familiarizing Canadians with other cultures.

The widest range of views was expressed at the town hall meeting for the general public. About 65 people turned out, and they represented a good cross section of opinions. One woman suggested that people with disabilities should be empowered to help others with disabilities in the regions I deal with. A man voiced serious concerns about the impact on banana-producing Caribbean islands of a World Trade Organization decision removing an advantage those countries had on banana exports to Europe. How do those island countries, with limited resources, reorient their economies, without falling into illicit drug transportation and money laundering?

Some expressed more general humanitarian concerns – about the need to spare children from military conflict rather than see them as active participants; about the need to raise international education standards; and about how to promote democracy and human rights, while being sensitive to cultural differences.

In speeches and in media interviews, I was able to explain some of my own priorities and those of the government. I am acutely aware of the many opportunities Albertans and Canadians generally have to sell our technological expertise internationally. Especially in fields such as resource technology, environmental technology, and telecommunications there is considerable demand for our expertise – not just in the resource-exporting countries of Latin America, but elsewhere as well, including Africa.

It is all too easy in Ottawa to shut one’s self off from the views of ordinary Canadians. That is why "Outreach" trips like the recent one to Edmonton are so important. I also welcome your comments.