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Question 3: The 1995 Policy Review and Since

Canada is a member of many international organizations, including the G8, NATO, the Commonwealth, La Francophonie, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Arctic Council. Should our participation in any of these be strengthened, or adjusted?

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Contributor:	1911
Date:	2003-05-01 18:45:05
Answer:
La francophonie is an organization established by the government of France for the specific objective of retention of the use of French in former French colonies in Africa. It was supposed that the use of the language would be likelyto ensure continued markets for goods produced in France. Through small financial provisions for Acadian organizations in the Maritime porovinces and the use of resident agents a considerable euphoria was generated at about the ytime General de Gaule visted Canada and made his wholly malicious statement at Montreal. Mayor Drapeau sagely remarked that If France loved the French speaking Canadians so much it was puzzling that they had seen so little evidence of this affection. Canada has never been able to secure much market for goods in former French Africa, yet the Government of Canada finances 30% of La Francophonie's annual budget. The Organization of American States is entirely dominated by the United States .If Canada is to continue its limited association it should be on the basis of representation of views distinct but not necessarily divergent from those of the USA. APEC seemsto provide a usefull contact with thev Eastern marketts. It should, however be noteed that China's exports to Canada continue to climb while our exports to China languish Geoffrey Wasteneys
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