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Canada in the World Main Page
PREFACE
FOREIGN POLICY BY CANADIANS
A new and broader process for foreign policy formulation.
Ensuring Canada's success as a society in a changing world must be a shared
enterprise. The future of each one of us depends on it. That is why the Government is
pledged to an open foreign policy process.
We have delivered on that pledge in a number of ways.
First, by strengthening Parliament's role.
- In the past year, the Government initiated several special parliamentary debates
on critical issues such as peacekeeping in Bosnia and cruise-missile testing in Canada.
- The Government also asked a Special Joint Parliamentary Committee to seek
the views of Canadians and to report on the principles and priorities that should guide
foreign policy. The Committee held over 70 meetings, received over 550 briefs, heard
from over 500 witnesses, and commissioned several studies from experts. It tabled its
comprehensive report in November 1994, along with valuable background material.
- The Government commends the Members of the Senate and of the House of
Commons who sat on the Committee. They conducted their work with openness,
diligence and integrity. The Government also thanks the many individuals and groups
who met with the Committee, who made submissions, and who participated in the
challenge of reviewing our foreign policy.
- In reviewing Canadian foreign policy, the Government was also mindful of the
recommendations of the Special Joint Parliamentary Committee on Canada's Defence Policy.
Canadians volunteered ideas and proposals on foreign policy throughout 1994, many
making outstanding contributions to the review process. The Government has also met,
and continues to meet, with Canadians of all backgrounds and from all regions to seek
their views on specific questions - on aid, trade, human rights, the international
environmental agenda and nuclear non-proliferation. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs
and of International Trade have each met with groups of Canadians for these purposes
in recent months.
Together with the Minister of National Defence, they sponsored a national forum on
Canada's International Relations in March 1994 at which over a hundred individuals,
from across the country and with a wide range of experience, gave advice on the broad
foundations of our foreign policy.
The Government also benefited from a review of Canada's international business
development programs and services. This review, led by Mr. L.R. Wilson, was focussed
on ensuring that the Government's support meets the needs of Canadian business and
is delivered efficiently and effectively. The Government is grateful to Mr. Wilson and to
the other private sector members of his committee for the time and effort they devoted
to this exercise.
Relations among societies are carried out at many levels and in many ways. Business
drives our economy and that of the world. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are
active in supporting human development and in shaping the management of the global
commons and other global challenges, acting locally and internationally in pursuit of a
global vision. Centres of knowledge and technology work together across borders,
enriching their own societies and the international community. Individuals in their daily
decisions help shape the world environment and are touched by it.
Canadians are engaged in the issues and are affected by them. That is why they
should participate in policy making and that is why this Statement does not end the
open policy process. It sets out the context within which Canada acts internationally,
And the major objectives the Government intends to pursue in the world. The
Government is pledged to continuing consultation. The role of Parliament in this effort
will be key.
Canada in the World Main Page
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