Ignoring Tectonic Shifts

Canada’s population of Asian origin has been growing consistently since the early twentieth century, today exceeding fifteen percent of our overall populace and fast heading considerably higher. Yet modern Canada has remained resolutely trans-Atlantic in its orientation, with interest in the Pacific Ocean region and Asia modest and fitful for the majority of Canadians.

While Asia’s economic growth and, consequently, its economic and social development—powered by China and latterly India—has been little short of astounding over the past twenty-five to thirty years, a consequential number of robust middle powers has also emerged in the region.

South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia may lead the field statistically, but impressive niche players like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have each excelled in a variety of ways, not least in higher education. Canadians are aware of, but not much moved by, these facts. This carries the risk that this country’s...