Thank you very much, chair.
Colleagues, thank you very much for having me. I hope that my appearances will be as numerous as in the previous Parliament.
In my first major foreign policy speech as foreign minister, I noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is embarking on its second century of existence at a time when the world around us is going through a period of profound and rapid change.
The global economy is still in crisis, as you know.
And the major issues facing us—peace and security, human rights, political freedom, economic development, climate change—cannot be tackled by countries on their own.
We must therefore set clear priorities. Priorities backed by focus, determination, perseverance.
The government's first concern is, naturally, to deal with the economic situation—both at home and abroad. Budget 2009 lays out a stimulus plan to get us on to the right path—creation of new jobs, restored investment and consumer confidence, targeted infrastructure projects.
The government's foreign policy is also focused on the international economic and financial problems we face as a country and as a member of the global community.
We are already deeply engaged in preparing the G8 Summit, which will be held in Huntsville, Ontario. This will be a key opportunity to exercise Canada's leadership in shaping the international response to the economic crisis.
We also will be hosting the North American Leaders' Summit in 2010.
We all know that Canada's prosperity and security are inseparable from that of the United States. I believe that the arrival of a new administration in Washington will be an opportunity to re-energize Canada's engagement and partnership with the U.S. on many issues of shared concern.
As Prime Minister Harper said, President Obama will find no better friend than Canada. Our countries have much in common and much to do together. I'll elaborate on this a bit later in my presentation.
As we look more broadly in the world, we see that violence in Afghanistan and the political and economic instability in Pakistan are undermining international efforts to restore peace and stability in that country and in the region. Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan pose serious and destabilizing threats from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Bad governance and growing marginalization create fertile ground for instability, conflict, and terrorism.
In addition, geopolitical dynamics are changing, with increasing Russian assertiveness, and the growing demand from China, India and Brazil to be included at the tables of global power.
The global institutions created after the Second World War no longer reflect international power dynamics and we will continue to engage with our allies to re-evaluate these institutions.
Canada, as a middle power and a long-time supporter of effective multilateralism, has much at stake in a renewed global system—especially those institutions in which major threats to our security and economic interests are addressed.
Amidst the challenges, there will also be opportunities—areas where Canadian initiative, ideas, and, in particular, leadership can be addressed.
The principal goals of Canada's foreign policy are to advance and protect the security and prosperity of Canada and Canadians and to protect Canadian values. Our government is taking a more robust approach to the promotion of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule-of-law values that Canadians hold dear.
In addition, our government is focusing Canada's foreign policy on several key priorities: the United States and the Americas; Afghanistan; emerging markets, particularly those in Asia; as well as the Arctic and the Middle East peace process.
Continued trade liberalization and increasing access to new and traditional markets will be fundamental to advancing and protecting Canada's prosperity. We are working towards a comprehensive economic partnership with the European Union. In addition, we are seeking to renew relations with India, China, Korea, and Japan to maximize economic opportunities.
As I said earlier, we will seek to renew our bilateral relationship with our most important partner, the United States. The management of our shared border is a key element of our close economic and security partnership with the United States. We are also committed to working with the Obama administration to enhance North American competitiveness as well as to open a dialogue on a North American-wide cap and trade system for greenhouse gases.
In addition, the government will seek to cooperate with the administration regarding shared peace and security concerns in Afghanistan and the Arctic, particularly competing views regarding the status of Canada's internal Arctic waterways and shared concerns over the Arctic environment.
We will also work to promote Canada as a clean energy superpower.
Canada is re-engaging in the Americas. Our strategy for the Americas is designed to promote economic prosperity, security and democratic governance through bilateral and multilateral engagement.
In addition to focusing on promoting social safety nets and a Canadian model of democracy, we are focusing on a robust trade liberalization agenda to ensure Canadian access to growing markets.
In Haiti, Canada will maintain its engagement and focus on high level political engagement, as well as stabilization, reconstruction and long-term development. Canada is Haiti's second largest bilateral donor.
The fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April of this year will provide the opportunity for Canada to reinforce our security and economic interests in the region.
Also this year, Canada hosts the Caribbean Development Bank's Board of Governors meeting in Halifax.
Let me turn now to Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan we will continue to support security, stability, and democratic governance so that the country no longer poses a threat to regional and global security. Canada's engagement is also focusing on reconstruction and development, as well as preparation for the end of our military mission there in 2011.
In this latter context we have set six clear objectives to guide our engagement for the next three years. Canada will help the Afghan government to train the Afghan National Army and police in Kandahar province. We will work to strengthen Afghan governance institutions and local democratic structure in order to deliver core services and promote economic growth. Canada will provide humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations. We will work to enhance the Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral dialogue and cross-border security. We will contribute to building the capacity of national democratic institutions and will support political reconciliation.
A word now about the Arctic.
The Arctic is not only an integral part of Canada as a territorial fact, but it is also central to our identity as a northern country. Canada is an Arctic power. We will continue to affirm Canadian sovereignty over our Arctic territory.
We will advance environmental stewardship with our Arctic neighbours who have a shared interest in the health of this precious region.
We will also participate actively in the Arctic Council, a multilateral forum that brings all of the relevant Arctic players together, including territorial governments and aboriginal communities.
In fact, I will be visiting the Arctic Council countries over the coming months to advance our Arctic agenda.
In addition to these priorities, Canada will do its share in responding to key global challenges. Now let me give you a few examples, colleagues.
In response to the global economic crisis, the government is working with the G20 for the reform of the global financial architecture. In response to the diminished effectiveness of global institutions, we are consulting broadly with the international community on the reform of the global governance architecture.
Consistent with Canada's affirmation of Israel's right to exist and to defend itself, and our support for a two-state solution, Canada is contributing $300 million over five years to support Palestinian institutional reform and the peace process.
In Africa, Canada is meeting its commitments. We are doubling our annual aid to Africa to $2.1 billion in this fiscal year from the 2003-04 levels. We are working with African and other countries to address key regional security and governance crises, for example, in the Congo and Zimbabwe. In Sudan, Canada is contributing $191 million in funds this year for security, diplomacy and aid.
Canada continues to maintain the strongest sanctions in the world against the Burmese regime.
Canada continues to be engaged in addressing ongoing security threats from terrorism, international crime, nuclear proliferation and fragile states.
And finally, we are mounting a vigorous effort to gain international support for Canada's bid for a seat on the UN National Security Council for 2011 and 2012.
With that, Chairman, I will be happy to respond to any questions the committee members have. Thank you.
