Good morning, bonjour.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to be here at the Shangri-La Dialogue for my first time, as Canada's new Minister of National Defence.
Thank you, John Chipman for inviting me to speak today. And I thank James Crabtree, and the entire team at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, for compiling such a compelling program for this year's Dialogue.
My country, Canada, is an Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific nation.
Across the Atlantic, we have boosted our military presence in response to Russia's illegal and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine, which we condemn in the strongest possible terms. Russia's attack on a sovereign democracy has global impacts.
For example, it has caused shockwaves in global food security and commodity prices - including in the Indo-Pacific.
As an Arctic nation, Canada is experiencing the alarming impacts of climate change, as our country warms at twice the global average. We are keenly aware of the security implications of climate change, which is why Canada intends to host a NATO Centre of Excellence on Climate and Security, which will share knowledge with our NATO allies, and partners around the world - including Pacific island nations.
And, as a Pacific nation, we believe that this region is of crucial importance to our country. And we seek to help build a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Here, we understand the value of this conference.
Across the board, Canada believes in the centrality of what we call responsible engagement.
What is responsible engagement?
It includes transparency, open communication, and adherence to the international rules and norms that have underpinned our collective security for decades.
Today, I will lay out three key elements of Canada's approach to the Indo-Pacific, all of which reflect our country's commitment to responsible engagement.
First - I will describe Canadian Armed Forces' military presence in the region - in terms of responsible engagement.
Second - Canada's commitment to multilateralism,
And third - the comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy that our government is currently developing.
First - the contributions of our Canadian Armed Forces in this region.
For over 70 years, Canada has contributed troops to the United Nations Command. UNC enforces the Armistice Agreement on the Korean Peninsula, and it is a perfect example of Canada's belief in rules, norms, and responsibility in state behaviour.
I am glad to be joined here by Canada's Chief of Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, who was the first non-American General Officer to serve as Deputy Commander of UNC.
Through Operation NEON, we deploy aircraft and ships to monitor respect for another set of rules: UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. We recently extended this operation into 2023.
Our success in this mission depends on the commitment of all regional actors to behave, and engage, responsibly.
Canada conducts its operations lawfully, and we expect our military to be able to operate unimpeded on the high seas and in international airspace.
As such, Canada calls on all nations' armed forces to operate in a safe and professional manner, and to recognise that unsafe and unprofessional conduct - particularly during multinational surveillance missions in international airspace - not only puts personnel in harm's way, but also undercuts international rules.
And, through Operation PROJECTION, Canada deploys warships to the Indo-Pacific region to responsibly engage with our allies and partners through joint missions and exercises.
In last year's iteration of this operation, the Royal Canadian Navy conducted manoeuvres alongside our international partners in the Philippine and South China Seas. Canadian warships also made several port visits to our partners in the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, and right here in Singapore.
Today, I am pleased to share with you that Operation PROJECTION is back again for 2022.
In just a few days, HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver, along with their embarked helicopter detachments, will depart for RIMPAC, the world's largest naval exercise, and then commence a deployment in the Indo-Pacific Region.
In sum, Canada's defence contributions to the Indo-Pacific region are meaningful, significant, and growing.
We seek to sustain, increase, and diversify our defence presence in the region - through avenues like the new Canada-Singapore Defence Cooperation Arrangement that Dr. Ng and I signed just this week.
This is just one example of an innovative, new partnership that will bolster regional security.
As we face non-traditional threats like piracy, illegal fishing, contraband, human smuggling, and climate change, the Canadian Armed Forces have a great deal to contribute, and we are here as a willing partner.
Let me now turn to multilateralism - a cornerstone of our approach to the Indo-Pacific.
Multilateralism is at the core of Canada's engagement in this region, and throughout the world.
This year's Dialogue is different than in years past. Yesterday, we heard a moving address from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, which reminded us of what happens when power seeks to triumph over rules.
We must ensure that rules prevail, that small states are not bullied by larger ones, and that all states retain the right to make their own decisions about their security and their future. Respect for international rules is the best tool that we have to minimize the risk of miscalculation and escalation, and to avoid conflict.
With this in mind, Canada is concerned with China's increasingly assertive behaviour - particularly in the South and East China Seas.
China has also shown a pattern of coercive diplomacy, irresponsible state-backed cyber activity, and theft of intellectual property and sensitive technology.
We believe that China's actions have heightened tensions and undermined the rules-based international order.
In this context, collaboration with our partners has never been more important. Canada will continue to work with like-minded partners, like the Five Eyes, and other states in the region, to strengthen international rules.
As Canada deepens its engagement in Southeast Asia, we believe in the centrality of ASEAN as a vital forum for addressing regional challenges.
Canada is one of ASEAN's eleven dialogue partners, and in 2022, we applied to elevate our relationship with ASEAN to full 'Strategic Partner' status.
As a group, ASEAN represented Canada's sixth largest trading partner in 2020 - and, in November last year, Canada and ASEAN agreed to proceed with free trade agreement negotiations.
We were among the founding members of the ASEAN Regional Forum and regularly participate in its working groups, bringing valuable experience and advice to the table.
And, Canada believes that the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus is an important forum in our collective efforts to bolster peace and stability in the region.
Canada seeks membership in ADMM+, and we encourage ASEAN to grant Canada observer status to the expert working groups.
Canada has a great deal to contribute - for example, on climate change. Let us remember that Canada has the longest coastline in the world. Given our military's excellence in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime security, we welcome opportunities to share knowledge and collaborate.
Indeed, the extension of ADMM+ membership to countries like ours would constitute a new, fresh approach to addressing regional security challenges, and benefit all parties.
Finally, let me discuss the path forward for Canada's responsible engagement here in the Indo-Pacific.
Our friends in the United States, the European Union, and in several European states have recently released comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategies. And, Canada, too, is developing an Indo-Pacific Strategy of our own. The strategy will integrate our actions across the diplomatic, military and economic spheres, and it will be released in the coming months.
Just this week, on June 9, my colleague, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee - representing the private sector, civil society and former members of government, to ensure that Canada's enhanced approach to the Indo-Pacific reflects diverse perspectives from across our country.
Their work will build upon the strong relations that we already have.
Canada is one of eleven signatories of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In fact, the combined economies of CPTPP countries represent almost 15% of global GDP.
And, of course, millions of Canadians, including myself, come from Indo-Pacific backgrounds - and these people-to-people ties are key.
Stronger ties will benefit our Indo-Pacific partners - and, stronger relations will benefit Canadians by enhancing our collective security, and creating new economic opportunities.
Our commitment to this region runs deep, and our new Indo-Pacific Strategy will guide our efforts to build a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, where states engage responsibly, behave transparently, and demonstrate respect for international rules.
To conclude,
I will simply say that Canada is always interested in new, innovative approaches to enhancing Indo-Pacific security - based on the principle of responsible engagement.
Through closer defence relationships, enhanced multilateral partnerships, and with a comprehensive, new, Indo-Pacific Strategy, I believe that the future of Canada's relationship with this region is bright.
Canada is here as an enthusiastic partner, with an open mind, and an open invitation to work together.
I look forward to continuing to work with our regional partners for peace, stability and prosperity.
Thank you, merci.
