With the globalization of economies, countries became dependent on one another as trade partners. In the process, international relations were transformed. After living through two world wars in the same century, the whole world was involved in ensuring lasting peace between nations.
Several global events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in 1991, shifted the balance of power in the world. Canada was at the centre of a new system of alliances led by the United States. Canada played an important role as part of these new relations, allowing the country to define and assert itself on the world stage.
Founded in 1945, the UN (United Nations) is an international organization that works to maintain lasting peace throughout the world. It was established as a result of an increase in armed violence in the first half of the century. This political initiative has become the primary international diplomatic authority through which countries hold dialogues to find solutions to global issues.
Canada plays an important role in this organization, sometimes even serving on the Security Council, the UN’s highest authority. Canada’s involvement is most notable in issues surrounding human rights and peacekeeping.
Canada is also involved in NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), an organization created in 1949 to promote diplomatic and military collaboration between the 29 signatory countries. NATO represents an alliance between several countries that share the same political values and want to build a united front in the face of outside threats. In addition to Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Turkey and the United Kingdom are leaders in the organization.
Trade missions were organized to ensure a Canadian presence abroad. These missions, including Canadian companies and officials from the federal and provincial governments, help locate new trade partners outside Canada.
Canada’s role in international relations is more than just economic. Canada has become a major player in world peacekeeping. With responsibilities within the UN and NATO, Canada is involved throughout the world in various military operations.
Canada therefore maintains a presence in several countries experiencing humanitarian, political, military or economic crises. Most notably, Canadian troops were deployed to Rwanda in 1994, Afghanistan in 2001 and Mali in 2018.
