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'The same country': Canada often seen as extension of U.S., Indo-Pacific experts say
OTTAWA — Ottawa's Indo-Pacific strategy has yet to give Canada adequate visibility or distinguish it from the U.S. in the region, experts have told researchers commissioned by the federal government. The Liberals launched the strategy in late 2022 to make Canada a partner of choice for some of the fastest-growing economies on the planet. In releasing the strategy, Ottawa acknowledged that it is perceived locally as having engaged only intermittently in the region over the decades. More than two years later, a report commissioned by Global Affairs Canada says regional experts see Canada as "a strategic but secondary player aligned with U.S. geopolitical priorities" that is "often perceived as an extension of U.S. foreign policy rather than an independent global actor." Global Affairs Canada hired Ipsos to write the report after the firm surveyed 45 experts between March and May on how the strategy was being perceived in five countries: Australia, South Korea, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. GAC paid roughly $199,976, including taxes, for the research, which took place in local languages and sought feedback through an invitation letter on GAC letterhead. The exercise is meant to inform the strategy's five-year evaluation in 2027. The report says that Canada lacks a strong brand in the region. "If we go down the street today (and) we ask people whether Canada and America are the same country, they probably won't be able to tell the difference," one regional expert in Indonesia told Ipsos. Ipsos went over the strategy's five stated objectives: security, expanding trade and resilient supply chains, sustainability, people-to-people ties, and Canadian engagement. The survey says Canada enjoys "a predominantly positive image" in the five countries, as a commodity-exporting country with strong democratic principles. Experts in South Korea and India told Ipsos Canada has historically been seen as an attractive place to study or live, "and this continues to remain somewhat true." Expensive cities and strict visa requirements have undermined this reputation, the report says. "While negative impressions were minimal, some experts in India mentioned diplomatic tensions over the Khalistan movement," the report says, referring to Sikh separatism, adding "they were of the view that the situation has not significantly marred Canada's overall reputation in the country." Respondents in Australia cited Canada's continued extraction of climate-warming fossil fuels as a source of concern, while a South Korean expert said Canada's CANDU nuclear reactors produce too much radioactive waste. According to someone researchers quoted as "a key respondent from South Korea," Canada is "slow-moving and resistant to change." Another Korean expert told Ipsos Canada lacks prominent manufacturers and suggested "the best-known Canadian product is probably ice wine." Despite Canadian officials citing the decades-long footprint in the region of Canadian companies such as Manulife — which has offered insurance services in the Philippines since 1901 — the reported noted "limited awareness of Canadian brands in the Philippines." An expert in Australia told Ipsos that Canada is "just not on our radar screen at all … like almost people have forgotten about it." A Korean expert said "the Canadian embassy has seemed comparatively passive" compared to Australian and New Zealand counterparts. The report warns Canada's "limited on-the-ground visibility" makes it less likely to be seen as a partner of choice in the region. "Several experts pointed to Canada's lack of strategic communication, limited embassy presence, and minimal economic and military footprint in the region as factors hindering its engagement with the region," the report says. As for the strategy itself, experts quoted in the report recommended a publicity campaign — most of them said they'd never heard of the strategy before. Many suggested the strategy document was "a starting point for enhanced regional involvement," while some said it echoed what other countries already outlined in their own strategies. "Some experts noted that the strategy relied heavily on widely accepted diplomatic principles without clearly articulating Canada's unique impact," the report notes. "The (Indo-Pacific strategy) is seen as well-intentioned but somewhat generic, echoing similar frameworks already introduced by others. At worst, the (strategy) risks being seen as 'preachy' or as being of limited relevance." The researchers did find support for Canada playing a more prominent role, particularly "as a bridge-builder among competing powers." The report says most of the region is undertaking a "delicate balancing" act in response to the growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing. "Some regional experts saw an opportunity for Canada to evolve its positioning and demonstrate greater strategic independence from the U.S.," the report says. "There was an expectation for Canada to build on its legacy as a principled and constructive partner while balancing humility with ambition that matches the resources and capabilities at its disposal." The report says there is "significant room for growth" in security collaboration on things like cybersecurity, and in investments in regional think tanks. Canada should "consider joining" a security partnership with Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. known as the Quad, the report says. In trade, the report finds a deep desire for "joint ventures to provide opportunities for innovation," particularly in areas that will improve the lives of the average citizen, such as "critical minerals, clean energy, agri-food, and digital technologies." Ottawa this week named a high commissioner for Fiji, 32 months after promising to open a full diplomatic mission in the Polynesian country. "While the exact timing of the high commissioner's arrival in Fiji is to be determined, Global Affairs Canada has started to deploy diplomatic staff in preparation for the opening of a full diplomatic mission," said department spokeswoman Clémence Grevey. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, May 19: ‘No wonder many think this is the same old Liberal government'
Re 'Canada should reduce Syria sanctions to align with U.S. and Britain, experts say' (May 15): Throughout its tenure, I saw the Trudeau government endlessly drag its feet on numerous issues before finally acting, even though the right responses to these issues had been obvious for months. Anita Anand, as Canada's new Foreign Affairs Minister and former minister in that Trudeau government, is already declining comment. Looks like it's hard to abandon ingrained habits. Let's hope our Prime Minister is ready to set a new energy and pace. Edward Carson Toronto Re 'Finance Minister Champagne suggests Ottawa won't present budget this year'(May 15): I was shocked by our Prime Minister keeping Steven Guilbeault in his cabinet as Canadian Identity Minister, given his time as climate change minister and his adverse impact on Alberta relations. Already he is at it again questioning new pipelines, even though it's not part of his new portfolio. No wonder many think this is the same old Liberal government with this guy at the table. The Prime Minister should curb this environmentalist before he causes more damage to Canada and Alberta relations, if he is truly intent on uniting the country and governing for all. David Field Calgary Re 'An old Liberal front bench bolted to a new Carney mission' (May 14): The election was upended by an external threat to the country. Voters decided to place their trust once again in the Liberals and in Mark Carney. Experience and knowledge is crucial in the short term. Placing inexperienced MPs on the front bench would have attracted as much, if not more, criticism. Who would you suggest instead? Elizabeth Caskey Vancouver To my friends in the West, some advice for the next election: If they want to have a seat at the table, they should vote with their heads, not their hearts. Take a page out of the Quebec playbook and elect MPs who will be part of government, rather than mere observers and critics. The reversal of Liberal fortunes was evident before the election. Although it may seem traitorous to the Western soul, voting for the party that was likely to win the election would have been a more strategic choice. To be properly heard, they need to be in the thick of it with their sleeves rolled up, not just shouting into the wind. Steve Edmonds Mississauga What, no Minister of Alberta Whining? Quebec Self-importance? Foreign Interference? American Lunacy? Global Climate Inferno? Digital Addiction? What about Budget Deficits? Frustrated Snowbirds? Procurement Logjams? Grocery Gouging? Last but not least, what about a Minister of the Next Pandemic? Nigel Smith Toronto Re 'Month to month' (Letters, May 14): A letter-writer suggests that Pierre Poilievre should pay rent for continuing to stay at Stornoway, and considers this a taxpayer-funded free ride. Mr. Poilievre has said he will not take the $150,000 transition allowance owed to him for losing his seat, I assume because he feels in all likelihood he will win the upcoming by-election. Stornoway is for the leader of the official opposition. Does it really matter if it is Andrew Scheer or Mr. Poilievre? It costs taxpayers the same regardless. But having Mr. Poilievre move out and then back in would be a waste of taxpayer money. The Conservatives and Mr. Poilievre have chosen what seems to be a practical decision that saves taxpayers the maximum. If the letter-writer is truly interested in saving taxpayer money, then she should be completely in favour of this. Robert McCullough Edmonton Re 'Canada's electric vehicle strategy has failed, and there are lessons to learn' (Report on Business, May 12): I see only one lesson: Governments cannot pick winners and should not give away billions of dollars of borrowed money to construct the industrial landscape that suits its worldview. The market is always correct, money will go where it is wanted and where it can do the best. Clay Atcheson North Vancouver Re 'Canada needs a foreign human intelligence service' (May 12): As a long-time advocate for a standalone foreign intelligence service, I was pleased to read this opinion. I would disagree on only two points: timeframe to establish such a service and suggested costs. Several departments are engaged in foreign intelligence collection. A determined and committed government could direct that these disparate groups be merged into one agency, which would form the core of a service. The funding supporting these groups, and indeed any budget to expand foreign intelligence outside Canada, would be redirected to a new service. These actions would require strong leadership from government to overcome bureaucratic intransigency. There would be no need for a lengthy period of drafting appropriate legislation: On March 17, 2003, then-MP David Pratt introduced bill C-409, an act to establish the Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency. The legislation and tools are available, awaiting government action. Alistair Hensler Assistant director (retired), Canadian Security Intelligence Service; Ottawa Re 'Ottawa should look to B.C.'s fast-track blueprint for big projects' (Editorial, May 13): A lesson can be learned from the book People in the Way: The Human Aspects of the Columbia River Treaty Project by James Wood Wilson, published in 1973. Mr. Wilson was an urban planner who had been in charge of the resettlement of people displaced by the flooding of the Columbia River due to dams built by BC Hydro. Villages, farms and homes were flooded, displacing Indigenous and settler populations and disrupting their lives. In 1969, I was a planning graduate student at the University of Waterloo where Mr. Wilson was on faculty. He was writing his book at the time, and in his seminars we discussed how bureaucracies treat 'people in the way' of large projects. I learned a lot. Reiner Jaakson Oakville, Ont. Re 'An honest mess: Is the pressure to deep clean for guests sabotaging our social time?' (May 14): There is no frantic cleaning in our home prior to guests arriving. I have a bottle containing Pine-Sol that I spray around the house. Presto, a clean-smelling home in about 30 seconds that I jokingly refer to as 'Fake House.' Peter Dielissen Fredericton Just adopt comedian Phyllis Diller's attitude: 'If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, 'Who could have done this? We have no enemies!'' Greg Milosh Oshawa Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
