CANADIAN VIEWS ON PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001831 SIPDIS SIPDIS ADDIS FOR USAU PARIS FOR USOECD PAUL REID, CURT STONE BRUSSELS FOR USEU PATRICIA LERNER USOAS FRO BOB MANZANARES E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2012 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM OAS EAID CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN VIEWS ON PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE REF: STATE 131040 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) According to Graham Shantz, Head of Policy Planning at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada has put a good deal of diplomatic effort into the Partnership for Democratic Governance (reftel) and is pleased to be a founding member and steering group member. The GOC is generally supportive of the Draft Declaration of Principles and is hopeful that the Partnership will provide a new venue to strengthen our collective efforts to promote democratic development. He said that Canada had put over C$1 billion into democracy promotion in the past decade through the Canadian International Development Agency and has a good idea of the demands of newly democratizing nations and the possible supply of assistance by NGOs and governments. He underscored that Canada considers the PDG a worthwhile effort and a useful new tool for democratic development, and will increase its contribution and involvement as the organization proves its effectiveness. ¶2. (SBU) Shantz explained that Foreign Minister Bernier would unfortunately not be able to attend the October 1 launch of the PDG in New York, however, due to an "intense" travel schedule in the weeks surrounding the event. Permrep Ambassador John McNee will represent Canada. ¶3. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Democracy Unit Manager Ben Rowswell separately commented that the GOC is inclined to be more supportive of the PDG than the Community of Democracies, because it seems to have a better chance of achieving real results. ¶4. (C) Comment: The "new" Conservative government is trying to focus on fewer projects where Canada can have a genuine impact, and prefers whenever possible to limit its involvement regionally to where Canada has vital interests. As a key U.S. partner on democratization globally, Canada will nonetheless continue to support almost all such initiatives to some degree, especially those that work through regional organizations and/or NGOs. Visit our shared North American Partnership blog (Canada & Mexico) at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap WILKINS