Minister Joly announces new Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee

News release

June 9, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region is critically important for the long-term prosperity, health and security of Canadians.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee, which is tasked with providing independent perspectives and recommendations on Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

The committee will include representatives of the private sector, civil society and government to ensure that Canada’s enhanced approach to the Indo-Pacific reflects the diverse perspectives of Canadians from across the country. It will support the launch of an Indo-Pacific strategy for Canada that will drive expanded and deepened regional partnerships and innovative new tools for engagement in people–to-people ties, as well as better seizing and engaging on opportunities for Canada and Canadians in the region. The strategy will leverage Canadian strengths and expertise to advance our goals, such as trade diversification, inclusive growth, effective action on climate change and enhanced regional security.

We live in a world with increasing threats to global stability. For the benefit of both the people of the region and Canadians, Canada is actively investing in the Indo-Pacific region to support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific that contributes to a rules-based international order.

The committee will be composed of the following individuals:

Co-chairs

Janice Gross Stein
Pierre Pettigrew 
Farah Mohamed

Members of the committee

Frank McKenna 
Hassan Yussuff
Rona Ambrose
Dominic Barton
Jonathan Hausman
Odette McCarthy
Darren Touch
Tabatha Bull
Salim Teja
Tammy Harris
Kasi Rao

Advisers to the co-chairs

Victor V. Ramraj 
Pascale Massot
Yves Tiberghien

Quotes

“In the coming decades, developments in the Indo-Pacific region will have profound impacts on the lives of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Our intention is clear: Canada is committed to strengthening our presence and deepening our partnerships throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The expert insights of this committee will contribute to a robust made-in-Canada strategy that will benefit all Canadians.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ mandate letter calls for her to develop and launch a comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy to deepen diplomatic, economic and defence partnerships and international assistance in the region with the support of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, the Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Minister of National Defence.

  • Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee members will be required to divulge to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Act, any conflicts of interest, and will be expected to recuse themselves from participating in discussions or activities of the committee should any potential, perceived or real conflicts of interest arise. Members will be expected to work with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to ensure that the highest standards of ethics and transparency are upheld.

  • Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee members will participate on the committee in a personal and voluntary capacity and will not be compensated for their work.

Related products

Contacts

Adrien Blanchard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adrien.Blanchard@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada

Page details

Date modified: