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Value of Canadian Expatriates Ignored, Underutilized, says New Report from Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

March 22, 2006 – Vancouver, BC – Canada cannot afford to ignore the economic, political and cultural impact of its 2.7 million citizens who live abroad, says the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. A community equal to almost 9% of Canada’s population now lives overseas, many in key global markets.  Canadians living overseas contribute to the economic well being of both host and home countries, and project an image of Canada around the world.

The study, Recognizing the Canadian Diaspora, just released in the Foundation’s Commentary series, points out that many immigrants to Canada are now returning to their countries of origin to pursue business and professional activities, especially in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. For example, over 200,000 Canadians in Hong Kong, most of whom emigrated from the territory to Canada within the last 20 years, have chosen to return to Hong Kong.

Many countries, such as Israel, regard their diasporas as strategically vital political assets, while others, like India, the Philippines and other migrant-source countries have long recognized the economic contributions of diaspora communities through remittances to the homeland.  In the same way, Canada should regard its citizens overseas as part of a larger community that can contribute to economic, cultural, and political ties around the world.  Furthermore, the “Canadian diaspora” is at the frontlines of projecting Canada’s image abroad and should therefore be seen as an integral part of Canadian public diplomacy.

“We are proud of the fact that the world’s diasporas have made Canada their home, but we have been slow to recognize that our citizens living overseas also constitute a recognizable community – indeed a ‘Canadian diaspora’,” said Yuen Pau Woo, President and Co-CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.  “Many members of the Canadian diaspora are in fact recent immigrants from Asia who have returned to their native countries to pursue business opportunities.  They may well be Canada’s most important advantage in pursuing stronger economic ties with Asian countries.”

Mr. Woo said:  “Our preliminary research suggests that the Canadian diaspora is real, that it constitutes a significant share of the population, and that it will continue to grow.  We must start thinking about the policy implications of a Canadian diaspora and how it can contribute to Canada’s place in the world.”

The full text of the report is posted at: www.asiapacific.ca/analysis/pubs/pdfs/commentary/cac41.pdf.

About APF Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation is Canada’s leading independent resource on Asia and Canada-Asia relations.  As a national non-profit organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Asia and on Canada’s transpacific relations.  It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, helping to influence public policy and foster informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors.  The Foundation is funded through an endowment from the Government of Canada and a grant from the Province of British Columbia.

For further information, please contact:
Kenny Zhang, Senior Research Analyst
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Phone: (604) 630-1527 / Fax: (604) 681-1370
Email: kenny.zhang@asiapacific.ca

M. Nevin, Director of Communications
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Phone: (604) 630-1529 / Fax: (604) 681-1370
Email: margaret.nevin@asiapacific.ca