"For this project, we compiled and analyzed a first-of-its-kind data set on Canadian city and provincial twinning agreements with partners in the Indo-Pacific to show how these relations matter in Canada’s international relations and foreign policy."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
"For this project, we compiled and analyzed a first-of-its-kind data set on Canadian city and provincial twinning agreements with partners in the Indo-Pacific to show how these relations matter in Canada’s international relations and foreign policy."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
Twinning relationships—that is, formalized long-term partnerships between two municipalities or provinces—have been a longstanding facet of Canadian foreign relations. They challenge conceptions of foreign policy limited to sovereign states and national governments, particularly in Canada’s unique federal context, and serve as an entry point to a wider landscape of non-central government diplomacy, paradiplomacies and “other diplomacies.”
Twinning relationships—that is, formalized long-term partnerships between two municipalities or provinces—have been a longstanding facet of Canadian foreign relations. They challenge conceptions of foreign policy limited to sovereign states and national governments, particularly in Canada’s unique federal context, and serve as an entry point to a wider landscape of non-central government diplomacy, paradiplomacies and “other diplomacies.”
Key Insights
Canadian twinning relationships in the Indo-Pacific have been sorely understudied and underutilized. We, therefore, assembled the first comprehensive dataset of Canadian twinning in the Indo-Pacific, revealing untapped diplomatic opportunities. The study suggests three potential future approaches, ultimately recommending that Canada enhance collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal governments, along with civil society, as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
These local-level partnerships offer a nuanced, flexible approach to international engagement, particularly valuable in Canada's federal system, where sub-national governments can play significant diplomatic roles.
Key Insights
Canadian twinning relationships in the Indo-Pacific have been sorely understudied and underutilized. We, therefore, assembled the first comprehensive dataset of Canadian twinning in the Indo-Pacific, revealing untapped diplomatic opportunities. The study suggests three potential future approaches, ultimately recommending that Canada enhance collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal governments, along with civil society, as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
These local-level partnerships offer a nuanced, flexible approach to international engagement, particularly valuable in Canada's federal system, where sub-national governments can play significant diplomatic roles.
View Article
We are long-time invited members of the Canada-Asia Pacific Policy Project led by Professor Rob Hanlon at Thompson Rivers University. While working on this project, we presented our findings to academics, government officials, the private sector and civil society. This article is one of nine articles Professor Hanlon compiled for a special journal edition that examined Canada and the Indo-Pacific strategic environment.
Scott Michael Harrison and Quinton Huang. “Canadian Twinning in the Indo-Pacific: The Agency of Subnational Actors in Present Relationships and Future Strategies.” Canadian Political Science Review, Special Issue: Canada and the Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Vol. 17, No. 1 (2023): 25-56.
View Article
We are long-time invited members of the Canada-Asia Pacific Policy Project led by Professor Rob Hanlon at Thompson Rivers University. While working on this project, we presented our findings to academics, government officials, the private sector and civil society. This article is one of nine articles Professor Hanlon compiled for a special journal edition that examined Canada and the Indo-Pacific strategic environment.
Scott Michael Harrison and Quinton Huang. “Canadian Twinning in the Indo-Pacific: The Agency of Subnational Actors in Present Relationships and Future Strategies.” Canadian Political Science Review, Special Issue: Canada and the Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Vol. 17, No. 1 (2023): 25-56.
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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
