Goal 3: Fostering Lasting Relationships
Canada places great value on building and nurturing relationships with partners in the Americas and as a result, we have made high-level political engagement a crucial component of Canada’s engagement in the Americas. People-to-people relationships across government, the private sector, civil society, academia are fundamental to achieving long-term results. We are prioritising the strengthening of our bilateral relationships and of regional organizations such as the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank. Canada is committed to remaining a strong partner as the region continues to grow and innovate.
To build on momentum towards our goal of fostering lasting relationships, Canada is:
- Enhancing bilateral relationships, especially with Brazil and free-trade partners (Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras);
- Promoting accountability, transparency and effectiveness within the Organization of American States and the broader inter-American system;
- Reinforcing cooperation to assist Canadians abroad;
- Supporting Canada-Americas private sector partnerships;
- Broadening people-to-people ties through ministerial outreach, education, sport and tourism; and
- Increasing two-way business and student mobility.
Results
Our ties with the Americas are growing stronger every day
- Since 2008, there have been more than 200 high-level Canadian visits to the region. Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended the 2009 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago; visited Brazil, Colombia, Honduras and Costa Rica in August 2011, announcing 25 results-based, forward looking, initiatives; and travelled to Colombia and Chile in April 2012. Additionally, the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs responsible for the Americas and Consular Affairs has carried out extensive outreach and consultations in the region and throughout Canada;
- 4 million Canadians are travelling annually to the region for tourism or business;
- There are more than 70 Latin America and Caribbean diaspora organizations across Canada;
- In 2011, over 15,000 Latin American and Caribbean students studied in Canada for 6 months or longer;
- More than 500 academic agreements and 4 youth mobility agreements link Canada to countries in the Americas.
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