We are ‘making the asks,’ says Anand
‘Diplomacy can make a difference. It can make a practical difference. But the ask has to be made, and we are making the asks,’ Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says. / SCREENSHOT
Canada’s foreign policy has undergone a “significant shift from previous iterations” as the government adapts to a fractured geopolitical landscape and a disrupted global economic order, says Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
In an interview on iPolitics’ podcast No Talking Points, Anand explained that the country is pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy that integrates longstanding Canadian principles with a renewed focus on domestic economic resilience.
Anand said her upcoming UN address in the fall will focus on implementing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s vision outlined in his Davos speech. She plans to call on “the business community, calling on civil society, calling on the population at large to ensure that we’re all pulling in the same direction in terms of building Canada strong.”
Under this pragmatic framework, diplomats are being directed to actively advocate for Canadian commercial interests abroad. Anand pointed to recent successful interventions, including resolving Pakistan's post-pandemic ban on Canadian canola and securing delayed mining permits in Mexico. “Diplomacy can make a difference. It can make a practical difference. But the ask has to be made, and we are making the asks,” she said.
The minister highlighted her extensive travels — more than 50 international visits in just over a year. Anand made four trips to the Gulf region, including visits to Oman and Bahrain—the first by a Canadian foreign minister since 2014—and was the first Canadian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in 19 years. She also noted a recent bilateral visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to advance a strategic partnership focused on energy, critical minerals, climate, and AI, and announced upcoming travel to Côte d’Ivoire and Benin as part of Canada's Africa strategy.
Regarding China, Anand emphasized that Canada remains vigilant. “Like others, I also am concerned about transnational repression,” she said, noting that protecting Canadian sovereignty and democratic institutions remains a constant priority. She highlighted that Canada successfully resolved trade tensions with Beijing earlier this year, restoring market access for Canadian canola, beef and seafood.
Anand rejected criticism that the government’s focus on trade diversification has sidelined values-based foreign policy. “It's incorrect. We are focused on the values. We're doing more than one thing at the same time,” she said, pointing out that development aid actually constitutes the majority of the budget at Global Affairs Canada. She highlighted funding announcements for local populations during her visits to Brazil and Pakistan, alongside recent humanitarian and climate-related aid for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Lebanon and Palestine.
“We will never shirk our international obligations. We will continue to stand for the benefit of the globe as a whole... But by necessity, our foremost responsibility is to ensure the welfare of the Canadian population,” she said.
