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MINISTER DION HIGHLIGHTS THE CANADIAN ADVANTAGE IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION
CALGARY, ALBERTA, September 25, 1999 –
Speaking to participants at the Globalization 2000 symposium at the University
of Calgary, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, was invited to respond to the question
Globalization: Convergence or Divergence?: Will market globalization create new
countries or, on the contrary, lead to mergers of existing countries?
Mr. Dion responded that, in his opinion,
"market globalization will likely have no noticeable effect on the number
of countries in the world." The Minister expressed great optimism about the
future of Canada. "Market globalization works in favour of Canadian
unity."
The Minister noted that "market
globalization has so far not created a single new country." He pointed out
that none of the 122 new states that have joined the United Nations since 1945
has been born of market globalization. "No fewer than 93 of them are former
colonies. Decolonization stems much more from a surge in the values of equality
and human dignity than from market globalization," Mr. Dion stated. He also
noted that, outside the decolonization process, only six new states were created
between 1945 and 1989: Israel, North and South Korea, Senegal, Singapore and
Bangladesh. "You'd be hard pressed to link any of those different cases to
market globalization," he added. The Minister also specified that all of
the 23 new countries that have appeared since 1990 have been born out of the
chain of events that accompanied and followed the disintegration of the
Communist empires.
Mr. Dion also stated that, although globalization
is a real phenomenon, we must not exaggerate its novelty: "After five
decades of market liberalization, we have barely achieved the degree of economic
globalization that existed a hundred years ago. We thus need to put what we are
currently experiencing into perspective." The Minister then stated that
national borders still matter and have not been made obsolete by globalization.
"In one sense, we can even say that the issues surrounding market
globalization make it more necessary than ever to maintain a strong national
cohesion within each country," he noted.
The Minister then highlighted the advantages of
Canadian unity in the era of globalization. After pointing out that in the case
of Canada, market globalization is expressed through a greater openness to the
American market, he showed how the Canadian federation is a tremendous advantage
for further opening that market. Mr. Dion then talked of the means Canada
deploys to make its voice heard in the United States: the third largest embassy
in Washington and diplomats and international trade specialists who advance
Canadian interests in American centres of influence. He then asserted that
Canada is able to influence the US not only because it is its major trading
partner, but also because of the influence Canada exerts in international
forums. "[...] our main asset for breaking into the US market is our unity.
Trying to do so in disorder and division would weaken us dangerously," the
Minister added.
In conclusion, the Minister stated that few
countries are better positioned than Canada to succeed in this global world.
"At a time when international agreements are affecting our lives more and
more, we need to be able to count on our country's prestige and influence. To
take on the challenges of the new economy, solidarity among all Canadians is
more essential than ever."
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For information:
André Lamarre
Special Assistant
(613) 943-1838
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