Key Takeaways:
- Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney states that the country no longer has a feminist foreign policy, but still aims to uphold values such as LGBTQ+ rights and combating violence against women on the world stage.
- The government seeks to make progress on gender equality by discussing strategies and approaches with other countries, including those that do not prioritize gender equality.
- Canada’s relations with the European Union are considered "unmatched" due to shared values including sustainability, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- The government still takes a feminist lens to foreign aid, with a focus on boosting women’s participation in global labor markets and supporting sexual and reproductive health.
Introduction to Canada’s Foreign Policy Shift
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the country no longer has a feminist foreign policy, marking a shift in rhetoric from the previous government of Justin Trudeau. During a news conference at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Carney stated that while Canada still upholds values such as LGBTQ+ rights and combating violence against women, he would not describe the country’s foreign policy as feminist. This change in approach has sparked interest, as the previous government had repeatedly referred to itself as a feminist government and had published a feminist foreign-aid policy.
Canada’s Approach to Gender Equality
Despite the shift in rhetoric, Carney emphasized that Canada still seeks to make progress on gender equality by discussing strategies and approaches with other countries. This includes working with governments that do not prioritize gender equality, with the goal of promoting equality and combating violence against women. At the G20 summit, Carney highlighted the importance of addressing gender-based violence, which was included in a joint statement by the South African chair. This move came after large protests across the country against the high rate of violence women face in South Africa. Carney also noted that Canada still needs to make progress on gender-based violence at home and can work with other countries to create a safer world for women.
Canada’s Relations with the European Union
Carney also emphasized the importance of Canada’s relations with the European Union, which he described as "unmatched" due to shared values including sustainability, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. This partnership is seen as a key aspect of Canada’s foreign policy, as the two entities work together to promote these values on the world stage. The secretary of state for international development, Randeep Sarai, also highlighted the importance of a feminist approach to foreign aid, stating that it not only boosts the participation of women in global labor markets but also makes economic sense.
Concerns Over Women’s Issues
Despite the government’s assurances, some have expressed concern over the lack of prioritization for women’s issues. Senator Marilou McPhedran noted that the Liberals were re-elected in part due to support from women, but have since shown a lack of commitment to women’s issues. McPhedran expressed concern over the "troika of white corporate men" at the peak of government, suggesting that this may be contributing to the lack of prioritization. However, Carney’s comments and the government’s continued commitment to a feminist lens in foreign aid suggest that women’s issues are still on the agenda, even if the rhetoric has shifted.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, while Canada’s foreign policy may no longer be explicitly described as feminist, the country still aims to uphold values such as LGBTQ+ rights and combating violence against women on the world stage. The government’s approach to gender equality and its relations with the European Union are key aspects of this policy, and the continued commitment to a feminist lens in foreign aid suggests that women’s issues remain a priority. As Canada moves forward, it will be important to monitor the government’s progress on these issues and ensure that the country continues to promote equality and justice for all.