Key Takeaways:
- Prime Minister Mark Carney has distanced himself from the concept of a feminist foreign policy, which was a key priority of his Liberal predecessors.
- The Trudeau government had introduced a feminist foreign-aid strategy in 2017, but no document was ever published to define the policy.
- Carney has placed less emphasis on feminist policies, and has not named a successor to Canada’s first ambassador on women, peace and security.
- The G20 leaders made repeated references to gender-related issues in their joint declaration, despite the absence of US President Donald Trump.
- Carney announced the launch of talks with South Africa on a potential Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a nuclear co-operation agreement.
Introduction to the Shift in Foreign Policy
The Canadian government’s approach to foreign policy has undergone a significant shift under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney. In a recent press conference in Johannesburg, Carney stated that his government does not have a feminist foreign policy, marking a departure from the approach of his Liberal predecessors. This shift has sparked interest and debate, particularly given the emphasis that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government had placed on feminist policies.
The Trudeau Government’s Feminist Foreign Policy
The Trudeau government had announced in 2017 that it had a feminist foreign policy, with then-foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland and later François-Philippe Champagne frequently referencing the policy in their speeches. The government had also introduced a feminist foreign-aid strategy, which aimed to ensure that at least 95% of Canada’s bilateral foreign aid projects included goals related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. However, despite years of discussions, no document was ever published to define the policy, and Carney’s statement suggests that the current government is moving away from this approach.
Carney’s Emphasis on Other Priorities
Carney’s mandate letters to his cabinet ministers did not mention feminism or gender equality, and he has not named a successor to Canada’s first ambassador on women, peace and security, whose term ended in March. This lack of emphasis on feminist policies has raised questions about the government’s priorities and whether they will continue to support initiatives related to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Carney’s statement that issues such as gender equality and reducing gender-based violence are an "aspect" of his government’s foreign policy, but not a defining feature, suggests that other priorities may be taking precedence.
The G20 Summit and Multilateralism
The G20 summit in Johannesburg provided a platform for leaders to discuss key global issues, including climate change, debt, and gender-related issues. Despite the absence of US President Donald Trump, who boycotted the summit and refused to allow his top officials to attend, the G20 leaders were able to reach a consensus on a joint declaration. Carney noted that the declaration had "weight" and represented a consensus of governments representing three-quarters of the world’s population and two-thirds of the world’s GDP. The summit also highlighted the importance of multilateralism, with Carney stating that he believes "collectively we’ve made a lot of progress" in this area.
Canada’s Engagement with Africa
Carney’s visit to South Africa marked his first trip to a sub-Saharan African country as Prime Minister, and he announced the launch of talks with South Africa on a potential Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. He also noted that Canada had completed negotiations on a nuclear co-operation agreement with South Africa and would receive a South African trade mission next year. However, Carney acknowledged that Africa is a lower priority for his government than traditional trade partners in Europe, Britain, and Mexico, due to the lower rate of return on African trade and investment.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, the shift in Canada’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney marks a significant change in approach from the previous government. While the Trudeau government had emphasized feminist policies and initiatives related to gender equality, Carney’s government appears to be prioritizing other areas. The G20 summit highlighted the importance of multilateralism and the need for global cooperation on key issues, and Carney’s engagement with Africa suggests that Canada is seeking to strengthen its relationships with countries on the continent. However, the lack of emphasis on feminist policies and the lower priority given to Africa raise questions about the government’s commitment to these areas and what the future may hold for Canada’s foreign policy.