Formation | 1984 |
---|---|
Location | |
President & Ceo | Jeff Nankivell |
Website | www |
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, [1] is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia. [2]
Based in Vancouver, with a secondary office in Toronto, APF Canada functions as a knowledge broker, providing current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada's transpacific relations. The Foundation promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, fostering informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors. APF Canada also provides grants to support policy research and informed discussion on Canada's relations with Asia.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada was created as part of the Canadian government's growing interest in relations with Asia under the administrations of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Its inception in 1984 was led by the Department of External Affairs, and was specifically proposed by the director general of the Department's Asian and Pacific bureau, Tom Delworth. At the time the Department was headed by Secretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark. Soon after, Vancouver businessman John Bruk was commissioned by the Department to undertake a study of the proposal. His report was accepted and became the basis for the founding Act. Mr. Bruk became the founding Chairman. The founders aimed to create an independent source of thought on Canada's trade, investment and political relations with Asia. This came amidst the growing perception of Canada as a Pacific country, compared with its relations being conducted primarily by the Eastern provinces across the Atlantic. [3] As a result, it was mandated that the Foundation's primary office should always be in Vancouver, British Columbia as to promote relations with Asia across the Pacific. [4] This idea was the premise for the creation of the Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, whose mission is to establish Canada's Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia.
The Foundation was initially funded on short-term plans or for specific projects with contributions from both the Federal and Provincial governments, as well as by corporate and private donors. In 2005 a founding supporter of the Foundation, Senator Jack Austin, led an initiative to award the Foundation a C$50-million endowment from the Government of Canada, from which it now draws much of its funding, in addition to private and corporate donations. [5]
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is a not-for-profit organization focused on Canada's relations with Asia. Its mission is to be Canada's catalyst for engagement with Asia and Asia's bridge to Canada. A leader in research and analysis on Canada-Asia relations for over 30 years, APF Canada partners with government, business leaders, academics, and opinion makers in Canada and across the Asia Pacific region to offer clear, specific, and actionable policy advice.
APF Canada's thematic priorities include: promoting trade, investment, and innovation; advancing sustainability; building skills and competencies; and, understanding Asia now.
The affairs of the Foundation are managed by a Board of Directors. The Board consists of a Chairperson and up to six other directors appointed by the Governor in Council; up to 18 additional directors appointed by the Board after consultation with provincial governments and other interested outside parties; and the President of the Foundation. The Chairperson and each of the Board members is appointed for a term of three years, and may serve a maximum of three terms. The Board, which has ultimate responsibility for the Foundation's activities, meets at least twice a year. It is responsible for setting the strategic directions of the Foundation, management of the endowment fund, and appointment of the President.
Stewart Beck is the current President and CEO. Prior to joining the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Mr. Beck was the Canadian High Commissioner to India. [6]
Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is exclusively in charge of its internal affairs and external relations, whilst the central government of China is responsible for its foreign affairs and defence. As a separate customs territory, Hong Kong maintains and develops relations with foreign states and regions, and plays an active role in such international organisations as World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in its own right under the name of Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong participates in 16 projects of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Following the success of ASEAN's series of post-ministerial conferences launched in the mid-1980s, APEC started in 1989, in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; it aimed to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe. Headquartered in Singapore, APEC is recognized as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs and oldest forums in the Asia-Pacific region, and exerts a significant global influence.
Global Affairs Canada is the department of the Government of Canada that manages Canada's diplomatic and consular relations, promotes Canadian international trade, and leads Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance. It is also responsible for maintaining Canadian government offices abroad with diplomatic and consular status on behalf of all government departments.
The foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and nations. Canada is recognized as a middle power for its role in international affairs with a tendency to pursue multilateral solutions. Canada's foreign policy based on international peacekeeping and security is carried out through coalitions and international organizations, and through the work of numerous federal institutions. Canada's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has played a major role in its global image. The strategy of the Canadian government's foreign aid policy reflects an emphasis to meet the Millennium Development Goals, while also providing assistance in response to foreign humanitarian crises.
Frances Lankin,, is a Canadian senator, former president and CEO of United Way Toronto, and a former Ontario MPP and cabinet minister in the NDP government of Bob Rae between 1990 and 1995. From 2010 to 2012, she co-chaired a government commission review of social assistance in Ontario. From 2009 to 2016, she was a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee.
The Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto is an interdisciplinary academic centre with various research and educational programs committed to the field of globalization. Located in Toronto, Ontario, it offers master's degrees in global affairs and public policy, as well as in European, Russian and Asia-Pacific studies. The school is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), a group of schools that educate students in international affairs. Admission to the Munk School is highly competitive; the Master of Global Affairs program typically receives between 500 and 600 applicants per year but offers only 80 first-year places.
The Pacific Trade and Development Conference (PAFTAD) is an informal private academic conference series that, since its origins in 1968, has developed into a driving force behind the development of thought on Pacific trade and development issues and important economic policy questions facing the region.
Canada–Latin America relations are relations between Canada and the countries of Latin America. This includes the bilateral ties between Canada and the individual Latin American states, plurilateral ties between Canada and any group of those states, or multilateral relations through groups like the Organization of American States (OAS).
Taiwan Institute of Economic Research is an incorporated non-profit research institute in Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan.
Canada and Japan have an amicable companionship in many areas. Diplomatic relations between both countries officially began in 1928 with the opening of the Japanese consulate in Ottawa. In 1929, Canada opened its Tokyo legation, the first in Asia; and in that same year, Japan its Ottawa consulate to legation form.
Canada–India relations also referred to as Indo-Canadian relations, are the bilateral relations between Canada and India. According to the Canadian Government, these relations are built upon a "mutual commitment to democracy", "pluralism", and "people-to-people links." In 2009, bilateral trade between India and Canada was at about C$4.14 billion. Most notably, the bombing of Air India Flight 182 by Canadian residents, killing a number of Canadian citizens, had effects on relations for about 20 years. India's Smiling Buddha nuclear test added strains to the relationship between the two nations, with allegations that India broke the terms of the Colombo Plan. Although Jean Chrétien and Roméo LeBlanc both visited India in the late 1990s, relations were again halted, albeit temporarily, after the Pokhran-II tests. India and Canada are taking steps to become strategic partners, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper making a state visit in 2012 and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau making one in 2018. Both are former British colonies and full members of the Commonwealth of Nations, with Canada being home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world along with being India's top overseas study destination.
Arthur Shigeru Hara, is a prominent Japanese-Canadian businessman and philanthropist, renowned for his work in promoting Canada's relations with Pacific Rim nations.
Canada–Peru relations refers to the current and historical relations between Canada and the Republic of Peru. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Cairns Group, Lima Group, Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Tung Chee-chen, GBS, SBS, JP is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and chief executive of shipping company Orient Overseas and a member of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute, a pro-Beijing political thinktank. He is Monaco's honorary consul to Hong Kong.
Canada-Asia relations are relations between Canada and Asian countries. These include bilateral relations between Canada and individual Asian states and multilateral relations through groups such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Yuen Pau Woo is a Canadian politician and academic who has served as a senator from British Columbia (BC) since 2016. He is the facilitator of the Independent Senators Group (ISG), taking on the role in 2017. Woo was previously the president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a Vancouver-based think-tank on Canada–Asia relations, until August 11, 2014.
Douglas H. Paal is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he directs the endowment's Asia Program. He served as the director of the American Institute in Taiwan from 2002 to 2006 and worked on the National Security Council staffs of Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush between 1986 and 1993 as director of Asian Affairs, senior director, and special assistant to the President. He was vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International from 2006 to 2008. He also serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Asia Foundation.
Canada–Singapore relations refers to the current and historical relations between Canada and the Republic of Singapore. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.
The Canada West Foundation is a non-partisan think tank based in Calgary, Alberta. It primarily conducts research on issues of concern in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but also on issues of national significance.
Jody Wilson-Raybould, also known by her initials JWR and by her Kwak’wala name Puglaas, is a Canadian lawyer and former politician who served as the member of Parliament (MP) for the British Columbia (BC) riding of Vancouver Granville from 2015 to 2021. She was initially elected as a member of the Liberal Party – serving as justice minister and attorney general from 2015 to 2019, and briefly as veterans minister and associate national defence minister in 2019 – until she was expelled from caucus amid the SNC-Lavalin affair. She continued to sit in Parliament as an Independent and was reelected in 2019, but did not run in 2021. She published a political memoir in 2021. Before entering federal politics, she was a BC provincial Crown prosecutor, a treaty commissioner and regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.