Canada
as an Asia-Pacific Nation
Remarks delivered
by
the Hon.
David Kilgour, P.C., M.P.
Secretary
of State, Asia-Pacific and M.P. for Edmonton
Southeast
New Zealand
Institute of International Affairs
Wellington,
New Zealand
March 6th,
2002
*Check against
delivery
As Canadas
new Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific,
the western border of my region
begins in Afghanistan, moves southeast past
India, Indonesia, to Australia and here
to New Zealand, then shifts north and east
through the Pacific islands, towards China,
the Korean peninsula, and Japan.
Although
I only came into this job in mid-January,
half-way through an official visit to North
Africa, my knowledge and interest in Asia-Pacific
is not skin-deep. The district of Edmonton-Southeast,
which Ive been honoured to represent
for over 20 years, is an excellent example
of how important Asian-Pacific communities
now are to Canada. The president of my riding
association is of Pakistani origin
and was actually in Karachi on September
11th. The Treasurer is from Vietnam. Two
vice-presidents are from India. My re-election
15 months ago would not have been possible
without the overwhelming support I received
from the Indo-Canadian, Chinese, Pakistani,
Filipino and other Asian-pacific communities.
Unfortunately, they are few New Zealanders,
presumably because almost no one wants to
leave this wonderful country!
The question
of newcomers is one of the many reasons
why this region is so terribly important
to Canadians. Over 120,000 people a year,
53% of total landings in Canada, are from
the region. Between 1993 and 2000, 60% of
Vancouvers immigrants, or over 200,000
people, came from Asia. South of the city,
whole communities now function in Mandarin
or Cantonese. Canadas policy toward
Asia-Pacific in the coming generations will
certainly be shaped by these communities.
I know that multiculturalism is also a New
Zealand reality and that New Zealands
recent integration of some of the Tampa
refugees stands in stark contrast to your
large neighbour.
Asias
importance
Asia, as
New Zealanders know all too well, has become
the focal point of global attention. Balance
of power politics on the sub-continent have
surfaced with curiously propitious timing.
Despite the severe impact of the Asian Economic
crisis, Asia-Pacific is once again the worlds
fastest growing region, with growth rates
in the 7% to 9% range for some countries.
Chinas recent accession to the WTO
and strengthening economy make it a priority
for all industrialized countries. China
is also emerging as an alternate pole for
a regional economic framework in East Asia
as Japans economy faces continuing
difficulties. Although Japan remains a regional
and global powerhouse, no one can ignore
the lasting effects of 10 years of recession
and the challenges posed by significant
demographic changes. As our Department of
Foreign Affairs Chief Economist puts it:
At no-time does it seem since World
War I have Great Game politics
been so fluid and so pregnant with potential
to influence the shape of the future world
order. Asia-Pacific is right in the
centre of it all.
This increasingly
uncertain Asian environment is equally important
for Canada and New Zealand. Both our countries
maintain substantial overseas development
assistance programs to the region, with
Canada contributing over CDN$1 billion annually
to the regions 24 developing countries.
Both our countries have recently re-established
diplomatic relations with the Democratic
Peoples Republic of Korea, trying
to coax that desperately poor country from
its 50 year isolation.
The extent
and importance of Canada and New Zealands
mature and broadly based relationship cannot
be understated. Our long-standing friendship
draws on our close ties of culture and kinship,
a shared inheritance of parliamentary democracy
and social values, and a continuing convergence
of experience and interests. Both countries
advocate free-trade and actively support
a strong multilateral trading system. People-to-people
contacts are extensive between our parliaments,
private sectors, community groups and academia.
Globalization
and its aftermath
Our two peoples
have benefited enormously from the effects
of globalization. As net exporters of commodities
to the British Empire, both our countries
were essentially born globalized. Today,
our peoples are linguistically, culturally,
and ethnically diverse. We have modern,
industrialised economies. Canada and New
Zealand have exhibited solid growth rates,
low inflation, and low unemployment. Indeed,
globalization has on balance been very kind
to us.
Prior to
September 11th, our own economy was in a
precarious position. The events of the day
seemed to tip us over the scales. Massive
layoffs were announced on what seemed like
a daily basis, and almost all economic indicators
pointed to a deep recession in the United
States. Many analysts assumed a similar
fate for Canada. However, Canadas
economy, much like New Zealands, has
shown incredible resilience in bouncing
back as quickly as it has. Combined with
a sound fiscal policy, globalization has
helped diversify Canadas economy and
soften the recessionary blow from south
of our border. Although over 80% of our
exports go to the U.S., in the face of their
self-avowed recession, our economy still
created over 70,000 new jobs in January
2002.
Canada and
New Zealand have been able to weather the
economic storms wrought by globalization,
but we cant say the same thing for
other parts of the world. Globalization
has created wealth; but not for everyone.
It has fostered dynamic efficiencies; but
not everywhere. It is popular among those
whose interests its serves, including our
own. But it has failed many. As a result,
there is much work to do -- to balance the
potential managed globalization offers with
the results it has so far delivered. Since
1960, the ratio of the income of the wealthiest
20 percent of nations to the poorest 20
percent has increased from 30 to 1 to 74
to 1. As Amartya Sen has written, Even
though the world is incomparably richer
than ever before, ours is also a world of
extraordinary deprivation and of staggering
inequality. To that I would add, and
fundamental misunderstanding.
Poverty,
Mahatma Ghandi wrote, is the worst
form of violence. To tackle it and
avoid the violence, among other things,
that it nurtures, many New Zealanders and
Canadians, I believe, would agree: the answer
is to be found in better globalization.
Globalization, fairly distributed and well
managed, can offer more fulfilled lives
to people everywhere; for artists, for farmers,
for students, for everyone. Countries cannot
succeed in isolation today. A poor country
that closes its borders to investment is
likely to stay poor. Globalization can champion
stability, democracy and greater sharing
around the world.
For this
to be successful, substantive and smarter
steps must be taken. Technological and developmental
gaps must be reduced, through participation
from both developed and developing countries
The New Partnership for Africas Development
NEPAD is a prime example.
African leaders have said they are prepared
to take responsibility for the economic
and political situation on their continent.
As the host of the next G8 meeting, Canada
has taken the lead in ensuring real engagement.
Our most recent budget set aside a special
$500 million fund for Africa. It will support
the objectives of the New Partnership for
Africa's Development through implementation
of the G8 Africa Action Plan.
Canadas
foreign policy agenda
In some ways,
September 11th reaffirmed Canadas
foreign policy agenda. Undoubtedly, it has
served to highlight the depth of our close
relationship with our American neighbours.
On the 11th, Canada accepted over 224 diverted
passenger planes and more than 33,000 passengers
and aircrew in airports across the country.
In small communities like Gander, Newfoundland
population 10,000 12,000 people
were welcomed into homes, gymnasiums, and
community centres. It has also served to
reinforce our human security approach to
international affairs. The focus remains
on the security of people protecting
individual civilians, supporting peace operations,
preventing conflict, and fostering principles
of good governance.
Our commitment
to the international system has at its core
our commitment to human security. We are
trying to build a world where universal
humanitarian standards and the rule of law
effectively protect all people; where those
who violate these standards and laws are
held accountable. Vaclav Havel of the Czech
Republic observed, The sovereignty
of the community, the region, the nation,
the state...makes sense only if it is derived
from the one genuine sovereignty - that
is - from the sovereignty of the human being.
In a similar vein, the concept of peace
and security - national, regional, and global
- can only be realized if it is derived
from individual security.
Human security
provides the basis for our policy initiatives.
It provides a roadmap of underlying principles
from which Canada develops its foreign policy.
Canada, as a member of the G7/8, considers
itself a global player, which necessitates
a global reach. Our policy agenda in Asia
needs to be understood in this global context.
This is slightly different from the approach
here in New Zealand. Asia-Pacific is after
all in New Zealands back yard. One
of the purposes of my visit is to draw on
New Zealand experience, particularly in
the Islands of the Pacific, to help defend
and promote Canadian interests.
Asia-Pacific
priorities
With respect
to these interests, there are three areas
(in no particular order) which Id
like to focus on as the Secretary of State
for Asia-Pacific: the promotion of Canadian
education services and products; advancing
Canadas trade agenda; and promoting
good governance particularly in those vulnerable
states in Asia and the South Pacific.
I feel Canada
can make significant inroads in the marketing
of Canada as a country with one of the most
advanced higher education infrastructures
in the developed world. We are having success,
with recent figures showing a 20% increase
in student authorizations in 2000, but more
remains to be done. As New Zealand itself
is a large education market for students
from Asia, some of you might hopefully have
some insight as to how we too can succeed.
Canadas post-secondary institutions
need to be promoted, particularly those
outside of urban areas. From what I understand,
there is a similar challenge here in that
over 50% of your overseas students enrol in Auckland.
Does Canada
in Asia not need to overcome its reputation
as a producer of only commodities? Canada
needs to brand itself a dynamic, modern,
high tech multicultural society. Our trade,
unfortunately, remains remarkably one-dimensional.
With Japan and China (incl. Hong Kong),
our second and third largest trading partners
respectively, wood products remain our largest
export. We have much to offer: my home city
of Edmonton was recently named the most
cost effective city in which to conduct
business in the G8. As I mentioned earlier,
Canadas economic recovery continues
to outpace our neighbours to the south.
This is not due to growing exports of lumber
or electricity. This recovery is being driven
along Canadian manufactured high-speed internet
connections and Canadian wireless technology.
More importantly, it is occurring in a multicultural
forum, founded on Canadian values. Efficient,
ethical, and effective business practice
and technologies are what Canada has to
offer.
Every time
we promote our technology and business interests,
we build on an increasing impetus towards
transparency, accountability, and democratic
legitimacy. Fostering good-governance in
Asia-Pacific will buttress any economic
advances Canada makes. Human rights and
good governance are good for business; there
is no contradiction. Legitimate forms of
dissent and demands for greater decision
making power are suppressed in parts of
Asia. I feel Canadians have the responsibility
to ensure that our trade needs are consistently
tied to our human security agenda. It is
my contention that Canada cannot legitimately
pursue its trade goals with Asia-Pacific
without pursuing principles of good governance
and human rights.
Canada and
New Zealand have co-operated on the international
stage for a very long time. Our soldiers
fought together in the trenches of the First
World War. We both made significant contributions
in the Second World War. More recently,
our peacekeepers have worked together in
such trouble spots as Bosnia, the Persian
Gulf, the Middle East, and East Timor. We
are both committed internationalists and
work closely together in the UN. That will
continue.
To conclude,
Id like to thank you again for inviting
me. I have come not only to share Canadas
policies with you, but to also learn from
New Zealands politicians, academics,
businesspeople and officials on what works
for New Zealand in Asia-Pacific. Id
like to hear what you think. How can Canada
and New Zealand enhance our co-operation?
Thank you.
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