Canada to seek membership of envisioned East Asia community

Wednesday 11th November, 03:44 AM JST

TOKYO —

Canada wants to participate in an East Asian multilateral economic cooperation body, as proposed by Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, reflecting the region’s importance to its prosperity, Canada’s trade minister said Tuesday. On Hatoyama’s call for an East Asia community, Canadian International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said, ‘‘The region is important to Canada and Canadian interests and Canada supports efforts to foster enhanced relations among the countries of Asia.’‘

‘‘Canada seeks to be a participant and partner in the ongoing evolution of the region’s institutional structure,’’ Day, who serves as minister for the Asia-Pacific gateway, said in a written interview with Kyodo News ahead of an annual ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Wednesday and Thursday in Singapore. Day said Canada is looking forward to ‘‘learning more’’ about Hatoyama’s proposal to create the envisioned East Asian community.

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8 Comments

MrUSA at 02:29 PM JST - 11th November

An East-Asian community that also includes Canada and the USA? Isn't that called APEC?
Gaijinocchio at 02:34 PM JST - 11th November

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having an East Asian Community? (Not like it has a great chance of succeeding as it is.)
Yelnats at 04:01 PM JST - 11th November

I do not understand this idea at all.
smithinjapan at 07:04 PM JST - 11th November

Agree with all comments above. You COULD argue, however, that with the number of Asians quickly outnumbering all other ethnic backgrounds in Canada, and in particular people who left HK when it went back to China, and immigrants from the mainland, it's slightly more realistic. Of course, he could have just said something along those lines.
sydenham at 07:32 PM JST - 11th November

Hey, I thought Hongcouver was in Asia already.
dolphingirl at 07:58 PM JST - 11th November

I don't get this either and I AM Canadian!
panzerkampwagen at 12:55 PM JST - 12th November

Sure canad can join the asian union, there were huge populations of asian immigrants over there already. Canada is an asian country if you dont take the geographic locations seriously!
alargo at 10:45 AM JST - 13th November

Where is the USA mentioned? Did I fail to read bewteen the lines?

Hongcouver is that anywhere near cheapsellouttowa?

Hey! Does this mean we'll be seeing some real Candian Bacon over here? I'm tired of ham slices at the breakfast table and on my pizza. If the Canadians get into cheese making, we could also abolish the need for Japanese cheese (mayo) used on that pizza. That would be cool.