[2] Canada's interest in becoming a bigger part of the international community is motivated by past events such as its lack of influence in the Cold War and the recent rise in global Terrorism.
Protecting Canada[3]: · Working closely with civil authorities to prevent serious threats to Canada from materializing, countering those that do materialize, and mitigating consequences of attacks · Increasing security efforts to ensure security and sovereignty of the Canadian territory, including the Arctic · Dedicating more resources, such as people, training and equipment to expand their presence across the country by improving timeliness of troop and equipment arrival International involvement:[3] · Missions should support Canadian foreign policy objectives, with realistic, clear mandates with international political and financial support in order to achieve the desired end · Mission partners should have an effective consultation process including the discussion of clear exit strategy and a desired end · The concept of operations, effective command and control structure, along with rules of engagement are predefined · If the mission does not jeopardize other Canadian Forces The diplomacy section focuses on remaining a very active part of the global community and economy through many specific diplomatic priorities and initiatives.
[2] Canada-U.S. Foreign affairs, priorities[4]: · Modernizing security relationship taking into account evolving threats facing North America · Identifying issues Canada and the U.S. both face · Promoting further environmental cooperation and · Getting Canadian messages across more effectively, including using the Canadian secretariat in the Washington embassy North American diplomatic initiatives:[4] · Counterterrorism: continue to work with the US combining counterterrorist programs such as the National Counter-Terrorism Center in the U.S. and Canada's integrated threat assessment centre.
· The North American Aerospace Defence Command agreement was renewed in 2006, Canada continues to build on NORAD by exploring with the US, new ways to enhance continental security · Control of the proliferation of WMD's · Addressing new health threats, such as infectious disease.
Building a secure world, priorities:[4] · Dealing with failed and fragile states · Countering terrorism and organized crime · Combatting the proliferation and distribution of WMDs · Promoting human security Building a secure world, initiatives[4]: · Building a task force responsible for quickly determining the extent of crises and how the government should respond based on expertise drawn from across government and the United States New multilateralism, priorities:[4] · Focus on advancing democracy through good governance, human rights protection and respect for diversity · Multilateralism should support more effective sustainable development strategies · Strengthen international development, such as health policy coordination New Multilateralism, initiatives:[4] · Continue strong support for new international Criminal Court and the war for crimes tribunals for Rwanda and former Yugoslavia · Providing $500,000 for the court's mandate to investigate crimes against humanity, provide $5 million to the high commissioner's office to strengthen monitoring capacity · Working with international security agencies, especially those in Europe with focus on protecting human rights within member countries Transformation of Foreign affairs, initiatives:[4] · Foreign affairs will rebuild their policy capacity and ability The IPS envisions Foreign affairs as:[4] · Interpreter of international events and trends, · Articulating distinctive Canadian international policy, · Advocating Canada's values abroad, · Providers of passport services · Steward of public funds, able to deliver common services abroad Strengthening Global presence consists of[4]: · Reconfiguring network of missions in regions of interest such as Asia and the Middle east, partnering with other departments · Reversing imbalances of officers in Ottawa and missions abroad, enabled by a $42 million grant · Emphasis on third language training for international environment · Ensuring Canadian people, embassies and missions are secured in post 9/11 environment, enabled by $52 million grant · International security, especially concerning failed states, counterterrorism and proliferation of WMD · Bilateral relations allowing FA to easily move resources between countries and regions based on priorities, promoting "whole-of-Canada" approaches abroad Five years after the release the IPS has not been a significant factor in guiding Canada's foreign policy, this is due largely to the shift from liberal to Conservative government, as a result of the federal election of 2006.
[1] The Stability and Reconstruction task force was reorganized to handle high level foreign policy efforts such as Canada's Global Peace and Security Fund.
[1] However, the Conservative governments interest in accelerating many defensive aspects of the IPS has revitalized the Canadian forces to the extent that they can focus on maintaining Arctic sovereignty, and security, while also effectively responding to domestic situations.