Workshop 7 - Canada and the United States (Presented by International Relations)

02 - Workshop-Canada and the United States I

Date: Jun 2 | Time: 10:15am to 11:45am | Location: FSS 4006

Chair/Président/Présidente : Scott Fitzsimmons (University of Limerick)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Scott Fitzsimmons (University of Limerick)

Yankee Canucks: A Profile of Canadian Pro-Continentalists from the 2021 and 2025 Canadian Election Study Waves: Samuel Goertz (University of Alberta)
Abstract: Who are the Canadians who want deeper ties with the U.S.? Are they more likely to be conservative? Men? More trusting, or less? This paper profiles Canadian pro-continentalists, using data from the 2021 and 2025 Canadian Election Study (CES) waves. As articulated by Allan Smith (1994), continentalism refers to the idea of a unified cultural civilization comprising the U.S. and Canada, with the U.S. having much more influence. Pro-continentalists are defined in this paper as respondents who favour “much closer” ties with the United States on the CES post-election survey. My research design is both descriptive and comparative: I estimate differences in means and distributions between pro-continentalists and the full CES sample across geography, partisanship, ideology, media habits, policy views, institutional and interpersonal attitudes, social identity, participation, and personality traits. This study models the probability of being pro-continentalist with multivariate regressions and reports marginal effects. Given the nature of the survey data, in this paper, I explore correlations and cannot make causal claims in the associations between pro-continentalism and other factors. However, comparing both 2021 and 2025 responses allows me to test the stability of the pro-continentalist profile and determine which facets change and which remain the same. Stable factors better control for the influence of a specific American administration (Biden versus Trump) on pro-continentalist attitudes. Ultimately, this study contributes a portrait of Canadian pro-continentalists and offers a baseline for future causal work on their identities, attitudes, and behaviours.

From Middle Power to Great Power: A Path Forward for Canada: Ronald Behringer (University of Ottawa)
Abstract: While playing the role of a middle power supporting the liberal international order served Canada well during the periods of Cold War bipolarity and post-Cold War American hegemony, the drastic change in geopolitical conditions in recent years necessitates a rethinking of Canadian foreign and defence policies. Economic belligerence and threats to Canadian sovereignty emanating from the United States have led to a national questioning of the degree to which the US can still be viewed as a reliable ally and security guarantor. In order to navigate the contemporary multipolar world, Ottawa has to derive appropriate strategies for dealing with a rising China, an aggressive Russia, and an untrustworthy US, among other global and regional challenges. This paper argues that the path forward for Canada may be outlined by classical realist approaches that emphasize the need to maximize national power in an anarchic world. Rather than remain a vulnerable middle power, Canada needs to adopt a great power mindset and ensure its long-term security by boosting its military capabilities and exploiting its economic advantages. By investing in defence, infrastructure, and innovation, as well as diversifying international trade, Ottawa can encourage growth in the various elements that comprise national power, including a robust armed forces and a dynamic economy. The result would be a Canada that can independently engage in effective deterrence and safeguard its borders, as well as amplify its voice and exercise more influential leadership on the international stage.