The Other Transatlantic Relationship

Abstract

Canada was the first country with which the European Union signed a cooperation agreement in 1976. Since then, Canada and the EU have gradually extended their cooperation in a number of social and economic areas, though not as much as originally intended. More recently, they have decided to launch negotiations for an extensive economic partnership agreement that aims at the creation of a wider transatlantic partnership, which would include the United States and Mexico. In addition to such bilateral cooperation efforts, Canada and its European counterparts have been actively working together in various international organizations and forums to address numerous international security and economic challenges. Finally, Canada and the EU, which both possess federal-like structures, have tried to learn from each other's experiences when devising domestic policies and governance mechanisms to manage these policies. In sum, the relationship between Canada and the EU, though often in the shadow of the EU-US affiliation, is a deep and important one.This issue of International Journal aims to bring the Canada-EU relationship into the limelight to explain how it plays a key role in meeting 21st-century challenges such as financial stability, open international trade, immigration, energy security, climate change, and global security. This role can take various forms. First, Canada and the EU can better manage mutual challenges by learning from each other. Second, Canada and the EU can enhance their bilateral cooperation. And finally, both jurisdictions can contribute to world affairs by working together in various international forums.It is essential that advanced industrial societies share knowledge and build expanded avenues of cooperation. Almost every one of the key challenges facing Canadian society also affects other advanced democracies, and it is through examination and consideration of alternative responses that we can hope to identify best practices for our own society. Furthermore, our reference point must extend beyond our neighbour to the south. Much attention is paid to Canada's connection to the United States and in many cases, Canadian responses to critical problems are crafted against the backdrop of American practices. Canadian policymakers and the Canadian public are less assiduous, however, in looking to Europe for alternative approaches to policy formation, even when European countries have developed innovative approaches through the EU to addressing many of the problems that we face, such as coordinating climate change policy across national borders; harmonizing border control systems and immigration policies; and breaking down trade and financial barriers. With the adoption of the Lisbon treaty, the EU has likewise embarked upon new approaches to transnational governance, including the further empowerment of the popularly elected European parliament and of national parliaments in relation to EU-level decision-making.Transatlantic learning is all the more important because Canada shares with European countries many key values, including those relating to social welfare, international law, and human rights. Like Europeans, Canadians have traditionally favoured multilateral solutions to international problems. Furthermore, historically, Europe - its individual countries as well as the EU - has been a key partner in realizing many of Canada's international objectives, reflected in such concrete efforts as the landmines convention, the protocol to control chlorofluorocarbons, and the International Criminal Court. Not only are Canadians often inadequately inattentive to what they can learn from Europe, but Europeans also often fan to understand the contributions that Canada and Canadians make in seeking innovative responses to vital issues. Just as Canada can learn from the European experience and benefit from a strong transatlantic relationship, Canadian experience can be a model for Europe as well - notably, for example, with regard to our practices of multiculturalism and citizenship as well as in innovations in encouraging citizen participation. …