Kent on Canada: Priorities and Goals in the Region
By Maïté Hostetter March 18, 2009
Despite poor global economic conditions, the Canadian government remains optimistic about improving hemispheric cooperation said Peter Kent, Canadian Minister of State for the Americas at a discussion entitled, Canada’s Policies and Priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean, on March 18.
As a member of the inter-American system, Canada has a stake in the prosperity of the Americas to protect its own national security, economy, and maintain the rule of law. Kent elaborated that Ottawa has the duty of acting on three key issues in the Americas: enhancing the prosperity of citizens across the region, strengthening democratic governance, and building a safer hemisphere. Canada’s ties to the region will continue to deepen as it welcomes more immigrants and refugees, as tourism between the two hemispheres increases, and as academic connections and exchange programs continue to grow.
While Canada is faring better than most countries in the current crisis due to the strength of its economic and regulatory approach, concerns remain as to how the crisis will affect its relations with the Americas.
Canada’s investment in the region is now at 100 billion dollars - five times Canada’s investment in Asia. Combined with strong investments and strong trade flows, commercial relations with the Americas were on a steep incline before the crisis, a trend the government hopes to maintain. Canada’s priorities in the region include bolstering free trade and open markets, fixing the financial system and continued efforts to combat protectionism in the region. Kent maintained that many Latin American countries today are better equipped to deal with the crisis due to current fiscal surpluses. Still, we must resist pointing fingers, he suggested, and instead look to pragmatic solutions.
The upcoming Summit of the Americas presents Canada with an opportunity to play a more visible role. Ottawa is also optimistic that hemispheric cooperation can be bettered through the summit process. In addressing Cuba, Kent stated that this country will not dominate the Summit agenda. Instead, issues such as security, energy and inequality will come to the fore.
A topic of considerable interest was Haiti, Canada’s second largest aid recipient after Afghanistan. The problems Haiti faces today are massive – deforestation, poor agriculture, post-disaster reconstruction – yet Canada remains confident it can help. In addition to large monetary and entrepreneurial investment in the country, Canada is working with other governments and multilateral organizations to ensure better coordination of donor assistance. Kent concluded by stating that it is time for fair and open elections to take place in Haiti, and for politicians to take responsibility in leading the country forward – something which would give hope to the Haitian people who, Kent said, have become resigned to substandard economic and social conditions.
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