Dfait Mandate Summary

The mandate of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is to manage Canada's diplomatic and consular relations and to encourage the country's international trade. This includes:

* Ensuring foreign policies promote Canada’s values such as: peacekeeping and democratic decision making; while helping to advance national interests.

Example: Canada’s Northern Foreign Policy. This policy is described as “a vision set out for Canada and our place in the circumpolar world, based on cooperation with Northerners and our circumpolar neighbours.” This policy promotes social/economic development, arctic science research and environmental awareness, while asserting Canada’s sovereignty over the north.

* To strengthen trade agreements/organizations that allow for interaction that is not governed by definite rules or enforceable obligations (rules based trade). And expanding/promoting the diminishment of trade barriers to result in more free/fair market access all the way up to a global level.

Example: The WTO is “rules-based”, its rules are all negotiated agreements. In 2009, minister of international trade Stockwell Day reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the World Trade Organization; by continuing to be an active member in the doha negotiations. The objective of these negotiations is to lower trade barriers and stimulate global trade. In addition to this Canada is also negotiating bilateral free trade agreements. Within a span of four years, the Government of Canada has opened doors to Canadian business by concluding new free trade agreements with Colombia, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association states of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. These agreements help expand trade, open doors for Canadian exporters, encourage economic growth and create jobs.{1}

* Working with partners inside and outside of Canada, to stimulate economic growth, and to allow for new business opportunities. Also to make all...