Canada

1
Canadas Global Partners Alliances
Topics for Discussion The Post-War Years NATO
Challenges to Canadian Sovereignty The
Commonwealth La Francophonie The G-8 Final
thoughts / Questions
2
The Post War Years

• After WW2, Canada had the worlds third largest
  navy and fourth largest airforce.
• Canada was also one of the richest nations in the
  world since many European nations were
  economically devastated by the immediate effects
  of WW2

Canadas Navy in the Bedford Basin, NS
Canadian Airforce
3
The Cold War

• After the war there were increasing tensions
  between the Soviet Union, the United States and
  its allies.
• In 1949 Western nations (Britain, United States,
  W. Germany, Canada, etc.) formed the NATO
  Alliance (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
• Nations of Eastern Europe (USSR,E. Germany,
  Romania, etc.) formed the Warsaw Pact
• NATO Homepage
• NATO - Who's who? (Canadas profile within NATO)

NATO and the Warsaw Pact
4
The Cold War
The Berlin Wall
With increasing tensions between the communist
East and the Capitalist West, a wall was
erected To separate East Berlin (East
Germany) From West Berlin
5
Challenges to Canadian Sovereignty

• In 1957, there were more than 20 Distant Early
  Warning (DEW) sites created on the 70th parallel.
• They were paid for and maintained by the United
  States.
• The stations were designed as an early warning
  system for incoming Soviet missles.
• Although the sites were clearly on Canadas
  territory, they were owned and maintained by the
  United States. Canada was not involved.
• Canada consented. Was this a threat to Canadian
  independence?

The DEW Line
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Challenges to Canadian Soverignty

• The Americans knew that the shortest distance
  between the USSR and the USA was through the
  Arctic.
• As a result, they insisted that Canada allow them
  to install these sites

DEW Line Radar Site in Canadas Arctic
7
NATO Today

• Tensions have lessened between the Warsaw Pact
  nations and NATO. In fact, some former members
  of the Warsaw Pact are now members of NATO! (e.g.
  Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, etc)
• Question Does Canadas membership within NATO
  threaten Canadas sovereignty?
• For a discussion of NATOs agenda and current
  operations around the world click here
• Question Is Canadas involvement in NATO a
  reflection of Canadas traditional global values?
  What are Canadas values? What is our global
  reputation?

8
The Commonwealth

• Founded in 1931, the Commonwealth is an
  organization of former British colonies that
  today consists of 51 nations and represents 1.7
  Billion citizens. (Some former colonies are not
  members such as the United States.
• Member states meet every two years to discuss
  economic, social, political and environmental
  issues

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The Commonwealth

• The purpose of the commonwealth is the following
• To support the United Nations in its efforts for
  greater peace and security in the world
• To combat racism and oppression in the world
• To promote the spread of democracy around the
  world (e.g. Case study Nigeria)
• Reduce economic disparities that exist within
  nations

10
Canadas Role in the Commonwealth

• Canada played an instrumental role in the ending
  of Apartheid in South Africa
• Recently, Canada has used the Commonwealth as a
  vehicle for combating global terrorism
• Canada also uses the Commonwealth to spread its
  foreign aid funding through the usage of NGOs
  (Non-governmental organizations)
• The Commonwealth has also been used by Canada to
  address global health issues such as the spread
  of the HIV/AIDs virus.

11
La Francophonie

• La Francophonie is an organization of French
  speaking nations that represent 5 continents.
• This organization has 53 member countries and
  represents 10 of the worlds population
• Much like the Commonwealth, La Francophonie meets
  every 2 years to discuss economic, social and
  political issues and to implement a vast array of
  initiatives (foreign aid, health care, and an
  international games)

12
Canadas role in La Francophonie

• Canada plays an important role since it is one of
  the wealthiest members of this organization
• Canada has played a major role in promoting human
  rights around the world through La Francophonie
  (e.g. initiatives in Haiti)
• Some Canadians have questioned the value of La
  Francophonie with respect to financing (e.g. tax
  dollars to fund La Francophonie Games).
• Question Should Canada continue to be a member
  of La Francophonie? Is La Francophonie obsolete
  given the role that Canada currently plays under
  the umbrella of the United Nations?

13
The G-8

• The G-8 consists of The United States, Japan,
  Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada
  (which joined in 1976) and Russia (which joined
  in 1998)
• Although the G-8s main role is in the area of
  economic policy, the organization also deals with
  issues such as drug smuggling, combating
  terrorism and human rights abuses.
• The organization meets once a year and represents
  some of the most powerful nations on earth. Some
  question the Value of the G-8 with the exclusion
  of emerging powers such as China and India (hence
  the G-20).
• However, supporters of the G-8 stress that Canada
  can use its influence in this membership to
  forward its economic, social and political goals
  around the world

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Final Thoughts/ Questions

• Does Canada benefit from its memberships in
  international organizations?
• Are some organizations more valuable than others?
• What are the benefits of membership?
• What are the costs of membership?
• Write a 200 word paragraph in response to the
  following question Canadas membership in
  International organizations represent a threat to
  Canadian Sovereignty. Discuss

15
Works Consulted

• Books
• Cohen, Andrew, While Canada Slept How we
  lost our place in the world. Toronto, McClelland
  and Steward, 2003
• John Ruypers et al., Canadian and World
  Politics. Toronto, Emond Montgomery Publications,
  2005.
• Websites
• http//www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_coun
  tries.htm
• (All images enclosed taken from Google
  images)