Canada and the UN Global Compact on Refugees: A Case Study of Influence in the Global Refugee Regime

Abstract

In the aftermath of World War Two, states created a global refugee regime by establishing a set of norms and institutions intended to facilitate collective action in responding to the needs of refugees. While Canada has been an active member of the regime since its inception, there is little research on the mechanisms Canada employs to influence outcomes in the regime. In response, this chapter examines Canada’s role in the development of the UN Global Compact on Refugees, which was affirmed by the UN General Assembly in December 2018. Through this case study, this chapter considers how Canada’s ability to exhibit influence in the regime is a result of its perceived moral and expert authority, deriving from its resettlement of refugees and its financial contributions to the regime, combined with the political and diplomatic engagement with the functioning of the regime itself. This analysis provides a basis for future research on Canada’s evolving global refugee policy and engagement with the global refugee regime.