Ms Joly was accompanied by Minister for International Development Harjit Sajjan, Minister for International Trade Mary Ng and Minister for Public Security Marco Mendicino.

China is an increasingly disruptive world power who benefits the same international rules that it is now increasingly ignoringaccording to plan.

Minister Joly announced that Canada would invest $492.9 million to strengthen its military presence in the region it is struggling with increasingly complex threats, citing not only China but also North Korea’s nuclear tests. However, she acknowledged that it will be necessary to continue working with China on global issues such as the fight against climate change.

Defense Minister Anita Anand said in an interview that the military plans to send a third frigate to the Indian Ocean next year.

In addition, funds are also provided for cybersecurity and strengthening public security related to the Indo-Pacific region.

To protect Canada’s national security, we must be extremely vigilant against serious threats posed by foreign interference, cyberattacks, ideological extremism, disinformation and international criminal networks.supported Minister Mendicino.

trade agreement

Ottawa plans to develop stronger trade ties with countries like India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

Thus, $244.4 million will be made available for various initiatives, some of which were already announced by the Prime Minister on November 18th. These include the creation of a Canadian trade gateway to Southeast Asia, a Canadian Indo-Pacific Agricultural Office and trade missions. The sectors of agriculture, natural resources and technological innovation are particularly affected.

” One in six jobs in Canada depends on international trade. Our economy, our middle class jobs, our democratic values, our national security and our human rights will be shaped by our relationship with the Indo-Pacific Basin. »

The federal government also plans to invest $750 million to help build infrastructure in the region.

According to Minister Ngexpand our sales network and D’Ensuring the resilience of our supply chainundermined during the pandemic.

Diplomatic offensive

Canada plans to create new positions at Global Affairs Canada with an investment of US$92.5 million. The prime minister had previously spoken of around 60 jobs, but that figure was not mentioned in the strategic plan.

Funds have also been allocated to improve visa systems in cities such as New Delhi, attract foreign students and develop tourism. Ottawa will also launch a call for proposals for feminist international charity initiatives.

Another $84.3 million will be used to establish an Ocean Conservation Fund, and another $52.4 million will help improve countries in the region’s resilience to natural disasters.

Earlier this month, Ms Joly announced that the Canadian government’s Indo-Pacific strategy would be unveiled within a month. Business leaders and former diplomats have been urging Ottawa to develop such a strategy for that part of the world, which liberals have repeatedly promised in recent years.

The minister then presented five key objectives of this strategy: peace, supply chain resilience, human and women’s rights, climate change and strengthening Canada’s presence in the world.

Those announcements come as Prime Minister Trudeau comes off a busy diplomatic month that included the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders’ summit in Cambodia, the G20 meeting in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Thailand.