EU, G6, G7, G8, & G20

Canada and International Institutions – Unit 3 Lesson 2

European Union

• 27 Member States• To join the EU a country must meet the following

criteria:– They require a stable democracy that respects

human rights and the rule of law; – a functioning market economy capable of

competition within the EU; – the acceptance of the obligations of membership,

including EU law

Canada-EU Foreign Policy• Connection dates back to

colonialism (GB)• 1976 delegation of the

European Commission opened in Canada

• 2005 talks for Canada to join the EU!!

• EU has banned seal product imports

• Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

• More ambitious than NAFTA• Opens new markets for our

exports in the EU (minerals and Agriculture)

• A priority of DFATD• To stimulate $12 Billion

annually

G8• G6 – Formed in 1975.• G7 – In 1976 Canada was added.• G8 – In 1997 Russia was added,

2014 suspended (Conflict in Ukraine – soft power)

• There are actually 9 members; the EU is included, but not a full member.

• A forum of leading advanced economies of the world

• CAN, FRA, GER, ITA, JAP, UK, US, RUS*

Structure and Activities – G8• The presidency of the group rotates annually among

member countries• each new term beginning on 1 January of the year• The country holding the presidency is responsible for

planning and hosting a series of ministerial-level meetings, leading up to a mid-year summit attended by the heads of government

• discuss issues of mutual or global concern• topics include health, law enforcement, labor, economic

and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism, and trade.

• G8+5 meeting includes BRA, CHN, IND, MEX, SA

G8-2014 Germany, Concerns?• Meeting will take place in June 2014• Key issues: Economy and Security• While visiting Kiev, Stephen Harper stated that he

supports expelling Russia from the G8 • Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that the G8 was

an informal organization and membership was optional for Russia

G20• The G20 was

proposed by Canadian finance minister Paul Martin (eventually Canada’s Prime Minister)

• It includes the 20 major economies of the world.

• first established in the wake of the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors

• Its goals were to bring stability to financial markets and to promote economic cooperation

• Membership consists of advanced and emerging economies from all regions of the globe

G20 and Canada

• It is in the interest of Canadians that Canada participates in international discussions with its key partners

• G7 membership enables Canada to pursue its broad foreign and economic policy agenda

• Canada can also push its interests, and to help shape global developments on a range of issues, including responses to global crises.

• Toronto (2010) was the first G20 Summit Canada has hosted…this is what happened

G20 - Toronto• Discussed the global financial system and

world markets• June 26-27, 2010• priorities included evaluating the progress

of financial reform, developing sustainable stimulus measures, debating global bank tax, and promoting open markets

• Largest and most expensive security operation in Canadian History

• Prior to this event, RBC in downtown Ottawa was firebombed in protest (Anarchists)

• Oxfam Canada and other NGOs organized protests to the event

• As the summit continued, protest numbers grew

• Black Bloc tactics used – damaged windows of certain downtown businesses

• Over 1100 people arrested

• poverty, gay rights, capitalism and globalization, indigenous rights, and controversial issues with the summit itself were the object of protests

• Global Tax proposed – Canada and U.S.A. said No!

• $1.1 Billion cost to host the 2 summits

• There was a travel advisory issued for people to stay away from the city due to potential protests!