Anand tells UN that Canada seeks ‘strategic autonomy,’ relies on civil debate

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada’s foreign policy is guided by establishing autonomy in strategic fields to limit superpower coercion, along with aspirations to lead middle powers.

“Great powers are walking away from global economic co-operation, dismantling economic integration,” Anand said Saturday in Canada’s annual address to the United Nations General Assembly. 

“In the face of this rupture, Canada’s goal is to achieve greater strategic autonomy,” she said at the green marble dais.

Anand’s speech did not directly mention American tariffs nor last month’s collapse of trade talks between Canada and Washington, and she instead mentioned work to diversify trade beyond North America.

Her speech echoed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s rhetoric over the past year about middle powers forging deeper ties and working with countries on shared goals, including states that aren’t close partners.

She said that involves emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence production and energy — as well as the rule of law and respect for sovereignty.

“We are facing serious challenges in the global order,” Anand said.

“We will lead other middle powers to act collectively and decisively, because middle powers are playing a key role in building the framework for the new international order — which is being established as we speak.”

Anand used an analogy that she said comes from her roots in rural Nova Scotia. “The tide does not wait; you must move with it.”

She suggested countries form “long-term partnerships” with Canada for security and prosperity.

“Rather than yearn for days gone by, let us together take this opportunity to do right by our people, and build together,” she said.

Anand said state sovereignty “has been treated with disdain” but that Canada will defend that principle, and work toward stability and common rules.

She said that is why Canada is calling for a just peace in Ukraine, self-determination for Palestinians and Israelis, and an end to hate-based violence.

“We were tragically reminded of the scourge of antisemitism again, when a gunman carried out an attack on a synagogue in Belleville, Ont.,” she told the UN.

“Canada is an open, pluralistic society, with a public square full of robust and civil debate. Our success is underpinned by this civility, by our democratic institutions, and by respect for our differences,” she said.

For the second year in a row, Anand spoke instead of Carney, who was at the UN from Monday to Wednesday but whose officials said he could not deliver Canada’s address due to scheduling issues.

The UN schedules foreign ministers later in the rotation during the annual high-level week, with weekday, daytime speeches reserved for heads of state and government. Anand spoke late Saturday afternoon.

Anand also voiced support for the NATO alliance, amid an increase in warnings from European leaders about Russian hybrid attacks. She cited a recent defence agreement between Denmark, its autonomous territory Greenland and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“This agreement is yet another reminder that North America and Europe are stronger together. And as a founding member of NATO, our commitment to the transatlantic alliance is ironclad,” Anand said.

To that end, Anand reiterated work being done to better secure the Canadian Arctic, saying this is occurring in lockstep with Indigenous Peoples.

Anand said Canada supports the International Criminal Court amid Washington’s quest to dismantle the institution. Her comments come as Canadian critics argue Ottawa is not calling out American coercion, including the sanctioning of a Canadian judge for her work at the ICC.

She reiterated Canada’s bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, through a vote expected in one year.

Anand said Ottawa is pursuing “values-based realism” while advocating for democracy in Iran, the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia and work to end Haiti’s gruesome gang crisis.

Her speech mentioned gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, Sudan’s civil war, Hamas attacks on Israel, Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and safe approaches to artificial intelligence.

Anand also said Canada is ready to work with whoever UN members elect as their next secretary-general, referring in French to the role in the masculine and feminine titles.

That comment followed the Trudeau government calling for a woman to be the next secretary-general, in September 2024. The Carney government has not repeated that call.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2026.