III.B.3 Practice and Application Activities — Governing-
Activity 3
Team Canada Trade Missions—where the domestic and the foreign meet
The Team Canada Trade Missions
When our government was elected in 1993, the impact of globalisation was becoming ever more evident. Formulating a strategy to assure Canada's continued prosperity within this emerging reality was among our priorities.
Team Canada is a centrepiece of our strategy. It was born of the conviction that promoting economic growth in Canada depended on a partnership between governments and the private sector. Since the first Team Canada in 1994, we have shown that Canada is a nation where everyone works together for our common success and that we are squarely committed to meeting the challenges of globalisation.
The Team Canada formula has been a resounding success. The five missions it has been my privilege to lead* have so far helped more than 1800 Canadian businesses conclude more then 880 deals in 13 countries, worth an estimated $24.4 billion. Deals that have translated into thousands of jobs in Canada, as well as close ties with people from the four corners of the globe. And more success lies ahead for Team Canada.
—Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, 1999
* as of July 2001, the Prime Minister had led six Team Canada missions
The teacher should share the above quote with students and ask that they read it twice. After everyone has read the quote, the teacher should ask the class:
- What is Team Canada (and we’re not talking hockey!)?
- What forces/developments are afoot in the international community that convinced the Prime Minister and the government to launch Team Canada?
- Can you explain or define these factors/developments?
- Why do you think the government chose a Team Canada approach as part of its strategy to boost Canadian business?
- Why do you think that the Prime Minister thinks it important enough to lead all of the Team Canada missions?
In groups, or individually, students are then to be assigned the following scenario and task:
A representative from a foreign government has approached you in your capacity as International Trade Advisor to the Prime Minister. He has heard about your Team Canada program and wants to know more about how it works and specifically, about one of the missions that has already taken place.
After some discussion, the two of you agreed that you would brief him on this issue and that your briefing would include a general summary on the Team Canada approach, and a review of how the government decides who will participate from the private sector and what government departments will be involved. In addition, you will provide some information on one of the Team Canada missions. This information would include where the mission took place, the estimated trade benefits of the mission and the general reaction from Canadians, media and business.
In carrying out this assignment, students can choose do their briefing in any presentation format that suits them, provided it addresses the information requirements outlined above. For resources, they should consult major Canadian media web sites for analysis and background, as well as the Team Canada web site. (http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/welcome-e.asp)
Some students could be randomly chosen to deliver their briefings to the class or they can simply be handed in to the
teacher
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