As part of the Canadian International Council initiative: Foreign Policy By Canadians, CIC Victoria is conducting several Global Economy focused events to address the current state of Canada’s international trading relations and determine what strategic economic pivots might exist that will permit Canada to better safeguard its national interests.

With this in mind and as partner countries sharing multiple interests in the Asia-Pacific, Canada and Japan have a significant stake in the future of the region. There are a number of strategic possibilities for enhancing Canada-Japan relations in both the trade and security realms, especially in light of the recently ratified CPTPP agreement and the deterioration in China-Canada relations. In the context of the challenges presented by China’s desire to advance an alternative to the current economic, political and security order, the Canadian government released a statement in April, 2018 affirming that Canada and Japan are united in their commitment to protect and advance the international rules-based order, and cooperate closely on peace and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Given the close links between trade and security, Jeff will discuss why Canada and Japan should build on their existing relationship in order to expand bilateral trade while enhancing regional security. In particular, as Canadian energy infrastructure projects move forward there is a growing opportunity to further diversify Canada’s trade while at the same time enhancing energy security in the region.

Speaker: Jeff Kucharski, Adjunct Professor, Royal Roads University
Discussant: Joseph Caron, Distinguished Fellow Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Moderator: Marilyn Denton, CIC Victoria