Politics in the Pub!  Smart Power and Canada’s Effectiveness in the Indo-Pacific 

When: Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Where: The Sticky Wicket Pub, Wicket Hall, the Strathcona Hotel, 919 Douglas Street
Time: 5 – 7:00 pm (doors open at 5 pm)
Our Speaker: Dr. Jeff Kucharski

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For our next Politics in the Pub (PIP) we are delighted to welcome Dr. Jeff Kucharski. Jeff is a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and an Adjunct Professor at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Dr. Kucharski has extensive international experience, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. He began his working career in Japan in various roles including with the Seibu Group, as the Government of Alberta’s trade representative in Tokyo and as Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Nagoya, Japan. Dr. Kucharski’s academic research interests lie at the nexus of international trade, energy policy, and geopolitics. In this vein, he was a key contributor to a new book on Canada’s role in the Indo-Pacific: Canada and Competing Indo-Pacific Visions of China and the US – Caught in a Foreign Policy Dilemma.

In his presentation, Jeff will outline some of the key themes of his chapter in the new book. Canada is often caught up in the strategic rivalry between the United States and China and faces a complex and often paradoxical dilemma: how to prioritize national security while maintaining an open economy and upholding the international rules-based order. Jeff will identify some of the issues that create dilemmas for Canada in its relations with China and explore how Canada manages relations with the United States and other key allies and partners. Jeff will also discuss some of the sources of Canada’s national power, whether Canada is positioned to be effective in achieving its goals in the Indo-Pacific and whether Canada’s foreign policy is fit for purpose. He will conclude by providing policy recommendations for a more effective economic and security approach to the region and how best to leverage Canada’s new Indo-Pacific strategy.

To attend this event please email Roger Love at cicvicpip@gmail.com

The event is open to CIC members only. The cost to attend is $22.50, which will cover a first drink and a round of appetizers. Attendance is limited so please don’t wait to register.

Confirmation of your registration along with payment instructions will be provided. If you are not able to attend after registering, and there is a waiting list, your registration fee will be reimbursed. If we have no waiting list, unfortunately refunds cannot be given.