G-8 Reform: What should Canada do?

In the next couple days, the G-8 will meet in Japan to discuss the major issues of the world, including food and oil prices. One topic that will receive great discussion will also be the future existence of this select club of "economic powers."

In an era where international institutions increasingly face legitimacy and efficacy issues, the G-8 reflects the current problems facing the international system. Like many of the other institutions still around, the G-8 reflects the powerful nations of a previous lifetime. The current membership does not include emerging economic powers like China and India. Another problem it faces is that due to the systemic problems facing other international institutions, the G-8 is increasingly being turned to to deal with issues beyond its original design.

Facing problems like these, it is natural to begin to question the continued viability of such an organization. One potential avenue would be to completely disband the group in future hopes of a more legitimate and effective organization filling the vacuum left behind.

This avenue is an understandable reaction to the problems facing international institutions and likely to please the organization's most stringent opponents. However, it may not be the most constructive approach to the organization's future.

Another possible avenue would be to expand the group's membership to be more inclusive and representative of the current international economy. To include the Group of Five, a smaller group of emerging economic powers including China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico, would make the organization more reflective of current realities. However, this path would not change the fact that the organization is charged with issues it was not created for.

But what would be in the best interests for Canada?

Canada's current membership affords it membership in a close-knit fraternity of current and former powers and an increased ability to "punch above its weight." If the G-8 were to be disbanded it would loose much of the stature it has from its membership. Although, if the G-8 were to be increased in size, Canada's influence would likely diminish because there would be more voices to be heard.

Obviously , it is not in Canada's best interests to diminish its ability to have its voice heard in world affairs. However, there are benefits for Canada in increasing the size of the G-8, whereas, disbanding the G-8 would not have benefits for Canada.

One benefit for Canada would be that it could cement itself as a champion for developing nations. Rather than continue to passively participate in the divide between North and South countries, Canada could become a leader in the campaign to include the Group of 5 nations. Doing so would create favourable relations with these emerging economies; ties that could become increasingly fruitful for Canada.

Secondly, this could further open up new markets to the Canadian economy. Canada has attempted, of late, to create better relations between China and itself. The actions of current Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Emerson, have been successful in this endeavour and campaigning to include China into the economic elite would further this cause. Reasonably, similar growth into expanding markets could be expected from future allies, like China's compatriots, Mexico, India, South Africa and Brazil.

It seems unlikely that the G-8 can exist as currently organized and of the two proposed reforms, it would be better in the long run for Canada to be a member of a larger economic body. For it makes obvious sense that some positives is better than no positives. Both possess negatives but in the end, it would be better for Canada to create more allies and open up more markets for itself.

- blenCOWe