The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy

by Yves Engler

In contrast to the common opinion that Canada’s primary role has been peacekeeper in several historic disputes, this study sheds light on several dark corners of the country’s foreign policy. From participation in the U.N. mission that killed Patrice Lumumba in the Congo to support for South African apartheid, Zionism, and the U.S. wars in Vietnam as well as Iraq and Afghanistan today, this investigation provides a comprehensive critique of how Canadian foreign policy is not independent but solidly linked with that of the United States. Revealing how the country has used its good reputation to open doors that have been inaccessible to the U.S., this analysis is a clarion call for Canadians to challenge their government’s established procedures.

Genres: Canada, Politics, History, Nonfiction

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of Engler's book is indeed appropriate. What does talk of a "black book" typically mean to you? This "Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy" is a collection of historical "examples exposing Canada's role in various regions of the world as well as in international organizations."
Prior to 1931 Canada was a British Colony, but after that period, Canada made its own decisions on whether they should participate in war games and how to do so.
As a youngster and a Canadian citizen, I was taught to be proud of my heritage and that Canadian flag! But, I was not well informed.
Today I am not so proud. I did not expect books to lie. As per most textbooks, content can be controlled by the writer, publishers, instructors and of course, corporations who must appear admirable, trust worthy, competent and deserving of huge profits. (Universities are often recipients of funding to ensure corporations continue to profit ...such is sponsored education!)
For example, how many of you in your early years, read about the horrible treatment of the First Nations people and the inhumane treatment of internees in Canada, which we are still learning about now. Why was it hidden? Because it was shameful!
This accounting in Engler's book of Canada's atrocities was painful to read. It was depressing. And, it never got easier to read those 285 pages.
It is incredible to find that the "peace-keeping role" of our nation we were so proud of, really has a double meaning.
"Is Canada's record as good as Canadians think", Engler questions.
"Canada made decisions based on their image not ideology".
He proceeds to expose the myth of Canadian peace keepers with shocking but substantiated facts of Canada's complicity. Canada's deplorable role in Haiti, Syria and Cyprus are only a few examples.
It is obvious that our strongest ties are with the USA at present. What questionable agreements are we honouring with them to date?
Double talk was used when granting funds and making agreements with various countries. How do we separate truth from propaganda? How has this farce contributed to our economic policies?
The answer is this. Our nation is helping to keep the 3rd world from progressing. Millions of taxpayers' money is being spent annually; we do not receive an honest accounting. We now realize that oppression all over the world is mostly due to greed.
Yves Engler needs to be commended for his research and activism. He tries "to inspire Canadians to demand change."
After reading about our foreign policy propping up Canadian mining companies in the Congo, I recalled his deep questions:
"Do Canadian corporations act any different than American companies when it comes to maximizing profits on foreign investments?"
"Do those of us with pensions or RRSP's invested in Canadian corporations operating abroad, share responsibility when people are poisoned by a mine, or rivers are destroyed by oil exploration?"

In 2009 through Canada's agreements, it appears those corporations could not be sued. In the last 8 years has anyhing changed? Was a bill ever passed to change the law? Alas, we may have to do some research ourselves......

Read the book.

[Peter Zylstramoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contrary to popular perception, Canadian politics and it's foreign policy works is motivated by its support for first the British and now American empires and it's self-interest in extracting as much surplus from developing countries through it business and financial sector (irregardless of democratic and social costs). Canadian politics is dependant on funding, and therefor is beholden to the class interests of the business (especially the resource sector)and financial sectors and rich individual donors (who generally made their considerable wealth through business or finance). Though Canada is careful to nurture it's image as independent and critical of the US and as peaceable (with media complicity given its dependence on funding through the same sources), Englers book systematically looks at Canadian foreign policy all over the world over the last 150 years, revealing a far different picture. It uncovers Canada's quiet involvement in the Vietnam war as well as in the current Iraq war, it's involvement in ousting Congo's first democratically elected president Patrice Lumumba, and it's involvement in ousting the elected Haitian president, Jean-Baptiste Aristide, etc. A thorough and systemic look at our ugly history.

[Comrade Zupa Ogórkowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Necessary read for all Canadians, it’s necessary for us to understand the exploitation of the global south our wealth is built off. Though Tyler Shipley’s book Canada in the world heavily sources this book, I prefer his book more.

[Numnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for Canadian foreign policy understanding

[Alex Paterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a glorified and extended listicle.

[Luke Sayese · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, I am very sympathetic with Engler's message and thesis, but I'm not very fond of his execution and organization. In short, Engler argues that Canadian foreign policy has been pro-empire and primarily serves corporate interests at the cost of humanitarianism and democracy abroad. There are a lot of details in this book, which is both a strength and a weakness. For example, when he's discussing Canadian foreign policy in one country he'll discuss foreign policy history since the 1800s then he'll give lists of names and connections of all the various banks, investments, contractors, and mining companies all in a span of about 2-3 pages on average. These details wouldn't have been so bad if there was some clearer organization. Sometimes he goes off topic, for example when he's discussing La Francophonie in Africa he switches to Haiti then back to Africa (why not include that section on Haiti in the Haiti section?). That being said, he has done some fine work about the extent of the damage that many Canadian mining companies have done to other countries, especially in Latin America. I would recommend this book on the basis that there has not been enough books available that are highly critical of Canadian foreign policy.

[Jordan McPeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

After buying this book directly from the author at a peace march, I really wanted to like this book much more than I did. Perhaps the problem with this kind of survey is that in order to tell a large number of stories, there's not enough room to go into any depth on any of them. Each topic could be the subject of a book or article themselves (and many of them are; I do like the bibliography and reading list), but only have enough here to at best intrigue, not necessarily convince. Occasionally all it generated in me was a "So what?" And that's from a sympathetic reader. I would've appreciated a little more of the author's opinions mixed in with the many examples that were seemingly meant to speak for themselves. I do appreciate the book's breadth. It touched upon several areas I wasn't aware of, and broadened my understanding. It just wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped it would be, and its value will be mainly in where it points me.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, not so much the presentation. This reads like a Chomsky book: densely packed with fact after fact and jumping from country to country in a way that can be overwhelming. However there just aren't that many critical books that try to cover Canadian foreign policy comprehensively that aren't incredibly dry and academic so this isn't a bad start. I wish it could have gotten beyond the basic premise of "we think we're so awesome and peaceful-but we're not!" and even tied it into Canada's domestic colonialism-but taking it for what it is, it's a good resource for further research and I definitely recommend it.

[Yonis Gure · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a well-researched and info-filled account of how Canada has really conducted its foreign policy over the last 100 years, Engler takes a rather simplistic view by seeing much of Canadian foreign policy as an appendage to the U.S - ultimately making this book a book about the United States as much as a book about Canada. Todd Gordon’s work, for which I’ve spent most of last night reading, is infinitely superior.

[Scott Neigh]

Reviewed here.

[Theiantrout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an invaluable resource for any student of Canadian foreign policy. Well written and logically organized, it is a book that I will refer back to again and again.

[David Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Finally a book that explodes the myth of Canada's role as humanitarian peace-keeper, and its service in disguising American foreign policy.