Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians
News release
November 27, 2022 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Global Affairs Canada
As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region will play a significant and profound role in Canada’s future. Every issue that matters to Canadians—national security, economic prosperity, respect for international law and human rights, democratic values, public health, protecting our environment—will be shaped by the relationships that Canada, along with its partners, have with countries throughout the Indo-Pacific. Decisions made in the region will impact Canadians for generations, and it is critical that Canada be at the table.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today launched Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. This strategy presents a comprehensive road map to deepen our engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade, increasing our contributions to regional peace and security, strengthening economic growth and resilience, enhancing our significant people-to-people ties, and supporting sustainable development across the region.
The central tenet of the Indo-Pacific Strategy is acting in Canada’s national interests, while defending our values. It positions Canada as a reliable partner to the region, now and into the future. It is an ambitious plan, beginning with an investment of almost $2.3 billion over the next five years.
This whole-of-society strategy puts forward how Canada intends to actively work with allies and partners to shape the future of the region, in the midst of a generational global shift.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy includes 5 interconnected strategic objectives:
1. Promoting peace, resilience, and security
To advance Canada’s regional peace and security interests, the Government will invest over $720.6 million. This includes, but is not limited to:
- $492.9 million to reinforce Canada’s Indo-Pacific naval presence and increase Canadian Armed Forces participation in regional military exercises;
- $47.4 million to launch a new multi-department initiative to help develop cyber security capacity in select regional partners.
2. Expanding trade, investment, and supply-chain resilience
To foster open, rules-based trade and support Canada’s economic prosperity, Canada will invest $244.6 million. This includes, but is not limited to:
- $24.1 million to establish the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s business, investment and networks in the region;
- $31.8 million to establish Canada’s first agriculture office in the region to increase and diversify agriculture and agri-food exports to the Indo-Pacific;
- $13.5 million to expand natural resource ties with Indo-Pacific partners – in trade, investment, and science, technology and innovation.
3. Investing in and connecting people
To forge stronger people-to-people ties with the Indo-Pacific, Canada will contribute $261.7 million. This includes, but is not limited to:
- $100 million in Feminist International Assistance Policy development funding to support the Indo-Pacific;
- $74.6 million to enhance Canada’s visa processing capacity within Canada’s centralized network as well as in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad, and Manila to support stronger peoples-to-people ties.
4. Building a sustainable and green future
As part of its commitment to build a clean future, Canada has committed a total of $913.3 million. This includes, but is not limited to:
- $750 million to enhance the capacity of FinDev Canada to expand its operations into the Indo-Pacific and accelerate its work in priority markets in order to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure.
- $84.3 million to help reinforce a healthy marine environment in the Indo-Pacific region including enhanced measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
5. Canada as an active and engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific
To strengthen its presence, visibility and influence in the region, Canada has committed a total of $147 million. This includes, but is not limited to:
- $100 million to significantly expand capacity at Canada’s missions abroad and within Global Affairs Canada.
- $24.5 million for a new office of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada in the region to help build and strengthen relations with local partners.
Quotes
“The future of the Indo-Pacific is our future; we have a role to play in shaping it. To do so, we need to be a true, reliable partner. Today, we are putting forward a truly Canadian strategy—one that involves every facet of our society. It sends a clear message to the region that Canada is here, and they can trust we are here to stay.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The Indo-Pacific is critical to Canada’s future prosperity, and our secret weapon is our people. With nearly one in five Canadians tracing their heritage to the Indo-Pacific region, we will expand our partnerships through high-standard, rules-based trade that benefits everybody. As we launch the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia along with a new series of Team Canada Trade Missions, we will create good jobs, grow our economies, and drive inclusive opportunities on both sides of the Pacific.”
- Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
“Canada’s long history of strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific region has a strong foundation in our international assistance partnerships. This Strategy is the next step of a truly Canadian approach, at a critical time, which will leverage Canadian expertise on shared priorities like climate. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals at home and abroad, we must have a responsive, long-term approach to further strengthen regional partnerships.”
- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“Today’s Indo-Pacific Strategy positions Canada as a leader in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, while preserving our role as a dependable partner. The strategy will bolster our Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the region, and will enhance Canada’s defence and security relationships with partners and allies. We will continue to stand up for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.”
- Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
“Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy will strengthen our intelligence capabilities in the region, enhance our cyber diplomacy and deepen partnerships with our allies. Canada will play a significant role by contributing to peace, security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, while always defending our national interests.”
- Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety
“The Indo-Pacific region is vital for Canada’s immigration and will continue to be in the future. Today’s announcement brings significant new funding to help boost Canada’s visa application processing capacity at home and abroad. As we look to record growth in admissions in the years ahead, this funding will help promote greater diversity among those looking to work and study in Canada.”
- Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“The Government is working to ensure that Canada is a clean energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world. This Strategy will help make that vision a reality in the Indo-Pacific.”
- Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
“Environmental and human pressures of all kinds are impacting the health of our oceans and marine life, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. There’s a clear need to ensure that countries around the world work together on sustainable and responsible fishing practices. That’s why the Indo-Pacific Strategy is so important, and it’s why we are establishing the Shared Ocean Fund to help fight against IUU fishing.”
- Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
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The Indo-Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing economic region and accounts for 65% of the global population. By 2030, it will be home to two thirds of the global middle class.
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The Indo-Pacific is Canada’s second-largest regional export market, after the United States, with annual 2-way trade valued at $226 billion.
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Nearly 1 out of 5 Canadians has family ties to the Indo-Pacific. It is also home to 60% of Canada’s international students.
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Canada’s largest diasporas are of Indo-Pacific origin.
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Together, ASEAN member states represent the fifth-largest economy in the world, with a combined GDP of US$3.3 trillion. With 661 million people, ASEAN member states have the third-largest population in the world.
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As a group, ASEAN member state economies represent Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner. In 2021, Canada-ASEAN merchandise trade was valued at $31.6 billion.
Related products
Associated links
- Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
- Canada’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific
- Prime Minister advances Indo-Pacific engagement and shared priorities at G20 Summit
- Prime Minister strengthens ties with ASEAN and expands partnerships in the Indo-Pacific
- Prime Minister’s announcements at the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit
- Minister Joly announces new Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee
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
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