Leaders laud plan, but call for more details

Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy is a good first step, but more details are needed on how the country can close gaps at home that could impede the strategy’s success, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says.

Chamber CEO Perrin Beatty said while much of the strategy focuses on the countries in that region, more work needs to be done to improve transportation infrastructure in Canada to capitalize on increased trade with the Indo-Pacific area. “At the present time, the three Fs are particularly important: food, fuel, and fertilizer,” he said Monday. “There needs to be a conscious government policy that this is a priority at this time.”

The comments came after the Liberal government unveiled an Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday, announcing funding for a wide array of things including military spending, business grants and visa processing.

The plan promises $2.3 billion in funding to help Canada form closer ties with countries in the region, marking a move to diversify trading in the region amid concerns about China’s influence.

The federal government said it plans to expand funding for groups looking to pursue trade and investment opportunities in the area, launch a series of trade missions and negotiate trade and investment agreements with Indo-Pacific partners.

It also promised to establish a regional agricultural office to help Canadian agricultural exports, assist trading partners with improvements to labour provisions and expand natural resource ties.

The Business Council of Canada said Monday the country needs to do a better job of getting critical resources and energy to market in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This requires work at home by removing regulatory barriers, fasttracking promising projects and investing in trade-enabling infrastructure,” senior vice-president Robert Asselin said in an emailed statement.

“Directionally, the government laid out a credible plan,” said Asselin. “But successful execution of this strategy will require a wholeof-government approach that is focused and measurable.”