GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

The Remarkable Consistency of Canada's Foreign Policy

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Philip Leech-Ngo
Board of Contributors

May 21, 2019 | 09:30 GMT

This photo shows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference on March 7, 2019, in Ottawa.

(DAVE CHAN/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • Despite efforts to sell their international approaches as different, Canada's Liberal and Conservative parties have pursued a consistent foreign policy for decades.
  • Mutual security and economic ties with the United States mean leaders from both of Canada's major political parties give priority to their country's relationship with Washington even when it runs counter to their electoral interests or political convictions.
  • Regardless of which party wins Canada's federal election in October, the foreign policy status quo will endure.

At the victory rally on election night 2015, the leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, invoked one of the country's greatest statesmen, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, by promising a future of "Sunny Ways." At the time, Trudeau's epithet seemed appropriate. Following nine years of rule by the Conservative Party and Stephen Harper, during which Canada had suffered a series of setbacks to its usually positive international reputation, Trudeau's upbeat language and media appeal appeared to offer a welcome change of direction. Immediately upon taking office, the new Liberal government set about trying to restore Canada's international image. However, with five months to go before a new general election in October, the shine appears to have come off. ...

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