Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand outlined Canada’s international priorities at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, declaring defence and security as the foundation of the country’s foreign policy. Her remarks offered the clearest picture yet of Canada’s global strategy under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who pledged earlier this year to double military spending by 2035 in what would be the largest buildup since the Second World War.
Anand warned that the rules-based international order is being tested by shifting global power dynamics that threaten both security and prosperity. She stressed that no nation can face these challenges alone, framing Canada as a dependable ally committed to NATO and NORAD while enhancing sovereignty at home.
She described Canada’s foreign policy as resting on three pillars. The first, she said, is defence and security — keeping Canadians safe and strengthening military alliances. The second is economic resilience, which includes diversifying trade, reinforcing supply chains, and positioning Canada as a trusted partner in global commerce. Anand used the opportunity to highlight Canada’s openness to investment at a time when many countries are leaning toward protectionism.
Without naming the United States or President Donald Trump, she pushed back against the trend of tariffs and unilateral trade moves, stating that Canada “will not turn inward” and will remain committed to multilateral cooperation.
The third pillar of Canada’s approach, Anand said, is the promotion of core values, including democracy, gender equality, environmental protection, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. These values, she argued, are inseparable from Canada’s pursuit of security and prosperity on the global stage.
[SRC] https://weeklyvoice.com/anand-tells-un-defence-and-security-now-central-to-canadas-foreign-policy/
