"Provincial offices abroad are key to Canada’s global strategy—strengthening economic ties, fostering diplomacy, and enhancing regional engagement, particularly in the dynamic Asian markets."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
"Provincial offices abroad are key to Canada’s global strategy—strengthening economic ties, fostering diplomacy, and enhancing regional engagement, particularly in the dynamic Asian markets."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
Scott Harrison and Yiwei Jin mapped and analyzed all (at the time) Canadian provincial offices in Asia. As Canadian provinces expand their global reach, provincial offices in Asia have become crucial tools for fostering trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement. These offices provide on-the-ground support for businesses, facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, and help provinces navigate the complexities of international markets. However, to maximize their effectiveness, they must adapt to evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes. This study examines the role of provincial offices in Asia, their benefits and limitations, and how they can be optimized to better serve Canada’s long-term interests.
Scott Harrison and Yiwei Jin mapped and analyzed all (at the time) Canadian provincial offices in Asia. As Canadian provinces expand their global reach, provincial offices in Asia have become crucial tools for fostering trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement. These offices provide on-the-ground support for businesses, facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, and help provinces navigate the complexities of international markets. However, to maximize their effectiveness, they must adapt to evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes. This study examines the role of provincial offices in Asia, their benefits and limitations, and how they can be optimized to better serve Canada’s long-term interests.
Key Insights
The Growing Importance of Provincial Offices With over 30 provincial offices in Asia, Canada’s subnational governments are taking an increasingly active role in international relations. These offices serve as a bridge between Canadian provinces and Asian markets, helping small and medium-sized enterprises establish a foothold abroad. Their stable presence allows for long-term relationship building, policy engagement, and market intelligence that would be difficult to achieve through short-term trade missions alone. As global competition intensifies, these offices will be critical in securing economic opportunities and strengthening Canada’s position in the region.
Challenges and Strategies for Improvement While provincial offices provide valuable services, maintaining them requires significant financial investment and strategic coordination with federal initiatives. The study highlights the need for clearer mandates, better resource allocation, and improved public communication to justify their existence and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, incorporating broader engagement beyond trade—such as educational partnerships, cultural exchange, and environmental collaboration—could enhance their effectiveness. By refining their structures and aligning with evolving global trends, provincial offices can become even more powerful assets in advancing Canada’s interests in Asia.
Key Insights
The Growing Importance of Provincial Offices With over 30 provincial offices in Asia, Canada’s subnational governments are taking an increasingly active role in international relations. These offices serve as a bridge between Canadian provinces and Asian markets, helping small and medium-sized enterprises establish a foothold abroad. Their stable presence allows for long-term relationship building, policy engagement, and market intelligence that would be difficult to achieve through short-term trade missions alone. As global competition intensifies, these offices will be critical in securing economic opportunities and strengthening Canada’s position in the region.
Challenges and Strategies for Improvement While provincial offices provide valuable services, maintaining them requires significant financial investment and strategic coordination with federal initiatives. The study highlights the need for clearer mandates, better resource allocation, and improved public communication to justify their existence and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, incorporating broader engagement beyond trade—such as educational partnerships, cultural exchange, and environmental collaboration—could enhance their effectiveness. By refining their structures and aligning with evolving global trends, provincial offices can become even more powerful assets in advancing Canada’s interests in Asia.
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While we were conducting research and interviews for this piece, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, and the province of Saskatchewan was in the process of opening its first offices abroad. As Canadian provinces continue to expand and navigate increasingly complex geopolitical landscapes, this piece and related research are even more relevant now than when we wrote them.
Scott Harrison and Yiwei Jin. 2020. “A Case for Provincial Offices in Asia – and How to Make Them Better.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. October 6, 2020.
View Article
While we were conducting research and interviews for this piece, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, and the province of Saskatchewan was in the process of opening its first offices abroad. As Canadian provinces continue to expand and navigate increasingly complex geopolitical landscapes, this piece and related research are even more relevant now than when we wrote them.
Scott Harrison and Yiwei Jin. 2020. “A Case for Provincial Offices in Asia – and How to Make Them Better.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. October 6, 2020.
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Latest projects
Asia/Indo-Pacific
Japan-Canada Research and Policy Network
Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
Cross-Pacific Indigenous connections, cultural revitalization, policy reform, and pathways to justice
