Canada, like any other state, participates actively in international politics. At the same time, it is necessary to identify the principles and values that guide the Canadian government in its decision-making. It is important to identify and examine the core Canadian values that are key to the country’s international engagement:
- The value of human life and equality. Canada actively promotes and upholds the rule of the value of human life. Therefore, the state opposes wars and aggression and condemns all cruelty by states or organizations (Kirton, 2007). In addition, Canada preaches democratic principles that establish equality both among citizens and among people in general.
- Protecting nature and the environment. The Canadian government has developed environmental legislation to ensure the preservation of nature within the state. In terms of world politics, Canada is an advocate of combating ocean pollution, controlling fisheries and air pollution (Kirton, 2007).
- World assistance. Canada is on the mainland with the United States and Mexico but is against continentalism (Kirton, 2007). In other words, the Canadian government is confident in the effectiveness and benefits of the world cooperating together (Kirton, 2007). The policy of building relationships between a geographically limited number of participants is criticized because only cohesive teamwork helps to solve economic and environmental problems.
- Helping those in need. One of Canada’s values is to help those in need (Kirton, 2007). Based on this principle, Canada supports possible assistance to emerging countries, both humanitarian and economical, such as debt relief.
Reference
Kirton, J. J. (2007). Canadian foreign policy in a changing world. Thomson Nelson.