January 30, 2001

Canadians want their government to play an active, independent, internationalist role in the world -- one that enhances Canadian opportunities abroad, while also advancing Canadian values on the world stage: peace, tolerance, sharing, 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.

Canada can take credit for spearheading negotiations on the fastest disarmament convention in history. The Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use of anti-personnel landmines was negotiated in less than a year and came into force in March 1999. To date, 109 countries have accepted the obligations of the convention.

In 2000, Canada hosted a major international conference on war-affected children, continued to fund the training of police and judges in countries such as the former Yugoslavia and Haiti, and continued to work towards the creation of the International Criminal Court.

At the UN’s Millennium Summit in September, the Government launched the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, which will study and foster global political consensus on the interrelationship between a state’s right to sovereignty, and the need for the international community to intervene in countries where human rights appear massively at risk.

In December, Canada reaffirmed its leadership in providing debt relief to developing countries by announcing a moratorium on repayments of $700 million owed by some of the world’s poorest countries which pursue programs fostering democracy and alleviating poverty.

The 2000 Budget provided an additional $435 million to Official Development Assistance over the next three years.

In September CIDA announced its new Social Development Priorities - which will focus CIDA’s efforts over the next five years on basic social development; health, education, HIV/AIDS and child protection, effectively doubling CIDA’s allocations in those areas.

Canada was selected as the founding Chair the G-20, a new international forum of industrialized countries and emerging economies set up to promote financial stability.

Canada continues its work to develop ways of responding rapidly to international calls for help and to contribute to peace and security, through DND’s Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) and the UN’s Standby Forces High-Readiness Brigade, which is currently in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

We have taken action to ensure the long-term operational effectiveness of the Canadian Forces. Important acquisitions have been made or begun: Victoria-class submarines, light armoured vehicles, maritime helicopters, Cormorant search and rescue helicopters and upgrades to the CF-18s.

Our government will:

• Increase Canada’s official development assistance as part of Canada’s efforts to reduce international poverty and strengthen democracy, justice and social stability.
• Work with international partners to promote peace and security by enhancing mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
• Work to strengthen multilateral institutions for dialogue and cooperation;
• At the Summit of the Americas and as Chair of the G-8 in 2002, work to expand opportunities for more countries to participate in the benefits of globalization while pressing for peace and security;
• Contribute to closing the digital divide; and
• Continue Canada’s proud record of peacekeeping.