Canadian Foreign Policy
Canadian Foreign Policy
Introduction
As the 20th century comes to an end, Canada is a transcontinental nation whose interests and representatives span the face of the globe and extend into every sphere of human behaviour. However this was not always the case. When the four colonies of British North America united to create Canada on July 1, 1867, the new country's future was by no means secure. Canada was a small country, with unsettled borders, vast empty spaces, and a large powerful neighbour, the United States. Confronting these challenges was difficult for the young country. Though Canada was independent in domestic matters, Britain retained control over its foreign policy. Over the next fifty or so years, Canada's leaders and its people quietly but steadily took control of their foreign policy and their destiny. The first significant phase in the development of Canadian Policy is related to the struggle until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. By then, Canada was in full control of its international relations, encouraging its politicians and diplomats and soldiers to help shape a new, more hopeful, international society. Canadians also worked hard to create the United Nations, to develop new instruments to resolve conflict, and to carve out a distinctive role for their country in the councils of the world.1
Defining Foreign Policy
When asked to define Canadian foreign policy, Lester Pearson, was reported to have replied, “Ask me at the end of the year and when I look back at what Canada has done, I’ll tell you what our foreign policy is.” In other words it is difficult to define what the actual Canadian Foreign Policy is. It is the cumulative decisions, attitudes and statements made by governments in dealing with the international community and the changing conditions prevalent. Developments outside of the boundaries of a nation have an impact on the developments of a nation’s foreign policy therefore it was never ‘formative’ but always
Introduction
As the 20th century comes to an end, Canada is a transcontinental nation whose interests and representatives span the face of the globe and extend into every sphere of human behaviour. However this was not always the case. When the four colonies of British North America united to create Canada on July 1, 1867, the new country's future was by no means secure. Canada was a small country, with unsettled borders, vast empty spaces, and a large powerful neighbour, the United States. Confronting these challenges was difficult for the young country. Though Canada was independent in domestic matters, Britain retained control over its foreign policy. Over the next fifty or so years, Canada's leaders and its people quietly but steadily took control of their foreign policy and their destiny. The first significant phase in the development of Canadian Policy is related to the struggle until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. By then, Canada was in full control of its international relations, encouraging its politicians and diplomats and soldiers to help shape a new, more hopeful, international society. Canadians also worked hard to create the United Nations, to develop new instruments to resolve conflict, and to carve out a distinctive role for their country in the councils of the world.1
Defining Foreign Policy
When asked to define Canadian foreign policy, Lester Pearson, was reported to have replied, “Ask me at the end of the year and when I look back at what Canada has done, I’ll tell you what our foreign policy is.” In other words it is difficult to define what the actual Canadian Foreign Policy is. It is the cumulative decisions, attitudes and statements made by governments in dealing with the international community and the changing conditions prevalent. Developments outside of the boundaries of a nation have an impact on the developments of a nation’s foreign policy therefore it was never ‘formative’ but always