The 1999 Speech from the Throne:
Canada's Place in the World

October 12, 1999

Canadians want their government to play an active, independent, internationalist role in the world -- one that advances Canadian values on the world stage: peace, tolerance, cooperation, security, stability and respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

We live in a highly interdependent world, where the quality of life of Canadians is affected by the quality of life of people everywhere. The government of Canada has a responsibility, both to its own citizens and the global community as a whole, to work to improve the quality of life of individuals world-wide.

We are living up to the expectations of Canadians and our international responsibilities. We are making a difference globally.

A Record of Achievement

We have reaffirmed Canada's global leadership in the area of peace building and peacekeeping. In the past year alone, Canadians were in the vanguard of the international peace implementation force in Kosovo, and we are contributing to efforts to bring peace to East Timor.

The leadership of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was essential to making the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines the fastest disarmament Convention negotiated in history. It was negotiated in less than a year and came into force in March of this year, with 134 signatories.

Canada's sixth election to a United Nations Security Council seat confirmed our reputation and influence in the world.

Canada led the successful negotiations to establish a permanent International Criminal Court which, when ratified, will have jurisdiction over crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

1999 SFT Commitments

We will advance a global human security agenda that will address threats to the cultural, economic, environmental, and physical well-being of individuals world-wide, the government will:

• work towards international agreements for the protection of children, including efforts to protect children from military and economic exploitation and the HIV/AIDS epidemic;

• work with other countries to reform and strengthen multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and international financial institutions in order to enhance their ability to effectively promote a human security agenda;

• seek an international agreement for the protection of cultural expression;

• outline a Northern foreign policy which will address the social, economic, cultural, environmental and personal security priorities of Northern people; and,

• increase international development assistance and ensure the capacity of the Canadian Forces to advance a more secure world.