Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Hello everyone.
I first want to thank you for inviting me to appear before the committee today. I am pleased to be able to tell you about Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy and contribute to your study.
Canada has important issues at stake in the future of the Indo-Pacific region, which is the epicentre of a generational global change. Everything that is important to Canadians—national security, economic prosperity, democratic values, the quality of our environment, and human rights—will be shaped by the way the situation develops in that region and by Canada's relations with its Indo-Pacific partners.
This generational shift demands a response that is comprehensive and enduring and firmly rooted in Canada’s national interests, strengths and global priorities.
The Indo-Pacific is the fastest-growing economic region of the world and accounts for almost two-thirds of global growth. By 2030, it will be home to two-thirds of the global middle class. By 2040, the region will account for more than half of the global economy.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy is built around five interconnected strategic objectives that build on decades of investment and engagement in the region. The five pillars are the following: promoting peace, resilience, and security; expanding trade, investment, and supply chain resilience; investing in and connecting people; building a sustainable and green future; and having Canada as an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific.
In short, Mr. Chair, we're talking about security, trade, people-to-people exchange, climate and diplomacy. I’d like to take a minute to very briefly outline some of the key elements that are under way under each pillar of the strategy.
On peace and security, Canada is making significant contributions through the Canadian Armed Forces toward regional security. The deployment of three Royal Canadian Navy frigates, a supply ship and two RCAF planes, along with our increased participation in multilateral exercises in the region, has been very well received by our partners in the region. As well, through the strategy, Global Affairs is making significant contributions to build capacity in the region on counterterrorism and weapons threat reduction programs. These are in partnership with CBSA and the RCMP.
Under the trade pillar, the strategy is providing enhanced support for Canadian SMEs, entrepreneurs and industry associations to penetrate markets in the Indo-Pacific through the CanExport program. There is support for the Canadian chambers of commerce that operate throughout the region, and there are a series of team Canada trade missions to Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia. The first of these missions was in Japan one month ago, and over 150 companies from all over Canada participated in a highly successful mission.
The third pillar of the strategy, people-to-people exchanges, includes an expansion of Canada's SEED scholarship program to encourage up to 1,000 students to study in Canada, as well as a scholarship program to bring Canadian students, researchers and academics to pursue their studies and research in the Indo-Pacific, building more capacity and expertise for Canadians in the region.
On climate and sustainability, the Indo-Pacific strategy will support the scale-up of Canada’s remarkable clean-tech sector companies by supporting first commercial demonstrations in key Indo-Pacific markets. The recapitalization of FinDev Canada will allow Canada to participate in a more fulsome manner in the infrastructure and climate-related coastal degradation projects that are critical to so many countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Finally, on diplomacy, through the Indo-Pacific strategy, Canada’s overarching priority is to become a more active, engaged and reliable partner in the region. We will increase and deepen political, economic and security partnerships with an expanded diplomatic presence in key posts, including opening for the first time a diplomatic mission in Fiji.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy was created in large measure as a response to the emergence of China as a major global economic and military power and to deepen and broaden our engagements with partners in the region. This includes India, with which we are going through an extraordinarily difficult time. While nothing that has transpired in recent months could have been foreseen in the creation of the strategy, I'm of the view that the 10-year whole-of-government approach to the Indo-Pacific will allow us to weather this storm and other storms successfully.
With that, Mr. Chair, I'm happy to take your questions.
