Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians

November 27, 2022 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Global Affairs Canada

As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region will play a significant and profound role in Canada’s future. Every issue that matters to Canadians—national security, economic prosperity, respect for international law and human rights, democratic values, public health, protecting our environment—will be shaped by the relationships that Canada, along with its partners, have with countries throughout the Indo-Pacific. Decisions made in the region will impact Canadians for generations, and it is critical that Canada be at the table.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today launched Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. This strategy presents a comprehensive road map to deepen our engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade, increasing our contributions to regional peace and security, strengthening economic growth and resilience, enhancing our significant people-to-people ties, and supporting sustainable development across the region.

The central tenet of the Indo-Pacific Strategy is acting in Canada’s national interests, while defending our values. It positions Canada as a reliable partner to the region, now and into the future. It is an ambitious plan, beginning with an investment of almost $2.3 billion over the next five years.

This whole-of-society strategy puts forward how Canada intends to actively work with allies and partners to shape the future of the region, in the midst of a generational global shift.

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy includes 5 interconnected strategic objectives:

1. Promoting peace, resilience, and security

To advance Canada’s regional peace and security interests, the Government will invest over $720.6 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $492.9 million to reinforce Canada’s Indo-Pacific naval presence and increase Canadian Armed Forces participation in regional military exercises;
• $47.4 million to launch a new multi-department initiative to help develop cyber security capacity in select regional partners.

2. Expanding trade, investment, and supply-chain resilience

To foster open, rules-based trade and support Canada’s economic prosperity, Canada will invest $244.6 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $24.1 million to establish the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s business, investment and networks in the region;
• $31.8 million to establish Canada’s first agriculture office in the region to increase and diversify agriculture and agri-food exports to the Indo-Pacific;
• $13.5 million to expand natural resource ties with Indo-Pacific partners – in trade, investment, and science, technology and innovation.

3. Investing in and connecting people

To forge stronger people-to-people ties with the Indo-Pacific, Canada will contribute $261.7 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $100 million in Feminist International Assistance Policy development funding to support the Indo-Pacific;
• $74.6 million to enhance Canada’s visa processing capacity within Canada’s centralized network as well as in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad, and Manila to support stronger peoples-to-people ties.

4. Building a sustainable and green future

As part of its commitment to build a clean future, Canada has committed a total of $913.3 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $750 million to enhance the capacity of FinDev Canada to expand its operations into the Indo-Pacific and accelerate its work in priority markets in order to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure.
• $84.3 million to help reinforce a healthy marine environment in the Indo-Pacific region including enhanced measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

5. Canada as an active and engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific

To strengthen its presence, visibility and influence in the region, Canada has committed a total of $147 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $100 million to significantly expand capacity at Canada’s missions abroad and within Global Affairs Canada.
• $24.5 million for a new office of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada in the region to help build and strengthen relations with local partners.