A Diaspora Strategy for Canada? Enriching Debate through Heightening Awareness of International Practice

Abstract:

Over the past decade a growing number of countries have become interested in revisiting, refreshing and rebuilding relations with their overseas populations. A new field of public policy, referred to as diaspora strategy, has emerged. Given that 2.8 million Canadian citizens live overseas (equivalent to 8% of the national population), including in such powerful economies as the United States and Greater China, not surprisingly within Canada too there now exists an embryonic interest in the possibility of formulating a Canadian diaspora strategy to enhance and build relations with this ‘secret province’.