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Chapter 13: Canada in the World


CBC Archives

"Joe Canada": The Rant
"My name is Joe, and I am Canadian!" was an oft-imitated greeting heard across Canada in 2000. The line is from a beer advertisement that tugged at the patriotic heartstrings of Canadians. The ad, which poked fun at Americans' faulty perceptions of Canada, was an instant hit. In this TV clip we see how the formerly unknown actor who played Joe Canadian became a minor celebrity.

Free Trade Agreement
With a stroke of his pen, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney formally set in motion the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. The FTA later received parliamentary approval, became law, and was subsequently superseded by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. In this report we hear of the on-going opposition to the FTA, which was in vain, as Canada today continues to pursue free trade agreements the world over.

Ottawa Protocol
Canada played a pivotal role in establishing what's known as the Ottawa Treaty (or Mine Ban Treaty) on the elimination of land mines. In this background report from CBC Radio we learn of work done behind the scenes and at the highest diplomatic levels to eliminate land mines.

Canada and the International Criminal Court
Under Liberal Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy, Canada took an activist approach to international relations in the late 1990s. In this interview with the CBC's Don Newman, Axworthy explains the impetus to establish a permanent court to adjudicate crimes against humanity, an International Criminal Court.

Canada and NATO Contribution
Canada is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Our ability to participate in NATO missions has been hampered at times, however, by cuts to Canada's military budget, as we learn in this report.

Pearson Wins Nobel Prize
Before he became prime minister, Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. Here is Pearson's reaction to the word of the prize awarded for his role in creating the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), deployed the previous year to help bring peace in Egypt, following the Suez Crisis.

Ottawa Abuzz over Obama
There is no international relationship that is more significant for Canada than the one with the United States. A month after he was sworn in as president in January 2009, Barack Obama took his first official visit to a foreign state—that is, to Canada. In this report, CBC TV's The National sums up the trip and the great excitement surrounding the presidential visit.


TVO's The Agenda

Canada, A Model for Democracy?
Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss why other countries should emulate Canada's model of democracy.