Canada-Southeast Asia Relations: Adjusting Policy Options to Revive a Languishing Legacy

Vancouver, B.C.- August 25, 2010 - At a time when major players, like US and China, are actively courting emerging powers of Asia and reserving their places in the next generation of regional institutions, Canada’s presence and strategy languishes. In Southeast Asia, Canada’s relevance is waning at a critical time. This is one of the key messages from author Brian Job in the latest Canada-Asia Agenda published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Brian Job, Senior Fellow with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Professor of Political Science at University of British Columbia, makes a critical and insightful analysis of Canada-Southeast Asia relations in his piece ‘Revitalizing Canada-Southeast Asia Relations: The TAC gives us a ticket…but do we have a destination?’ Change may be in the air with Canada’s recent signing of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation agreement– but is it too late? Does the treaty signal meaningful policy change by Ottawa or is it simply a rhetorical gesture?

The Canada-Asia Agenda is a peer-reviewed monthly publication that provides timely commentary on issues affecting Canada’s involvement with Asia.

The full report can be viewed here.

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About APF Canada

The Asia Pacific Foundation is an independent resource for Canadians on contemporary Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national not-for-profit organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Asia and on Canada’s transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, helping to inform public policy, the Canadian public and Canada’s Asia practitioners. The Foundation is funded principally through an endowment from the Government of Canada and by corporate and individual donors.

For additional information, please contact:

Trang Nguyen
Communications Manager
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: 604-630-1540
Email: trang.nguyen@asiapacific.ca