Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Recommends a Meaningful Role for Canada in the Asia-Pacific Region

Ottawa (June 29, 2015) - Today, the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade tabled its report Securing Canada’s Place in Asia-Pacific: A Focus on Southeast Asia.

This report presents the key findings of the committee’s study of the economic developments and political and security conditions in the Asia-Pacific region, and their implications for Canadian policy and interests. The study focuses on Canada’s relations with Indonesia, Burma, Singapore and the Philippines in particular.

The genesis of this study was rooted in previous committee studies on the emerging countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC countries) and Turkey in the new global economy. Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were targeted as offering specific opportunities for Canada.

The committee concluded that it is critical for the Government of Canada to recognize the geostrategic transformation of the Asia-Pacific region and to play a long-term, holistic and meaningful role in the area.

Quotes

“The world is re-balancing toward the Asia-Pacific and Canada needs to shift with it to ensure that it does not miss out on the economic and political opportunities presented by this dynamic region. In the Asia-Pacific study, we focused on understanding the region’s changing political, economic and security landscape, the emergence of new players and relationships, and their impact on Canadian interests. This study underscored that Canada’s future prosperity requires us to engage strategically and for the long-term in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Chair of the Committee

“Our committee decided to narrow its focus to Southeast Asia, a region that is experiencing impressive economic growth, diversifying into new markets, and building regional defence and security mechanisms. Southeast Asia is a dynamic region of over 600 million people, but it is not well known among Canadians in general, let alone among the small percentage of Canadian businesses that export beyond the United States. As the study evolved, it became apparent to us that Southeast Asia holds tremendous potential for Canadian companies and Canadians.”

Senator Percy Downe, Deputy Chair of the Committee

Quick Facts

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner. ASEAN is pursuing work in a wide range of areas, including strengthening infrastructure and connectivity between its member states, working to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, narrowing the development gap between member states, and emphasizing ASEAN centrality both among member states and in terms of regional cooperation.

The study recognizes that the global balance of power is rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific region, a shift that will have profound implications for Canada’s prosperity, domestic and foreign policies, as well as its place in the international system. It is widely understood that Asia-Pacific is growing economically at a rapid pace. What is less appreciated, however, are the geostrategic changes that are taking place in the region. The growing assertiveness of China and countries within the ASEAN are significantly affecting security conditions in the region and international trade and commerce.

The committee focused on the four Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Burma, Singapore and the Philippines. These countries illustrate the diversity of Southeast Asia, a region rich with economic opportunity, but one that also faces a number of social, political and security challenges. The four countries are also members of ASEAN.

Since May 2013 the committee has held 33 hearings in Ottawa and heard from over 90 witnesses. It also undertook a fact-finding mission to Indonesia and Singapore in February 2015. While in those countries, the committee held over 20 meetings with a variety of Canadian businesses active in the region, as well as with government officials, senior political leaders, parliamentarians, academics and others.

Associated Links
5 Things Canadians Should Know About Senate Committees
Click here to learn more about the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and its work
Follow the work of the Senate of Canada on Twitter @SenateCA or use the hashtag #SenCA
For committee updates on Twitter use the hashtag #AEFA

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Karen Schwinghamer
613-795-1084
[email protected]

Committee Clerk
Mark Palmer
(613) 993-9035
[email protected]