Canada’s Scientific Prowess: A Cornerstone for a New International Order

In the picturesque, yet strategically charged, setting of Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Mark Carney articulated a compelling vision for Canada’s role on the global stage. Addressing the World Economic Forum in early 2026, he declared, "Canada has what the world wants." This pronouncement was not merely aspirational; it was grounded in a concrete assessment of the nation’s multifaceted assets. Prime Minister Carney specifically highlighted energy, capital, and critical minerals as key pillars that Canada could mobilize to shape a new international order. However, to this crucial triad, a fourth, increasingly potent, asset must be unequivocally added: Canada’s burgeoning science and technology prowess.

Canada’s commitment to scientific advancement is demonstrably strong. Consistently ranking among the global leaders in the volume of highly cited research publications, the nation’s academic and research institutions serve as magnets for some of the world’s brightest minds. For decades, these scientific achievements have been largely characterized as "soft power" assets, as defined by international relations scholar Joseph Nye – instruments of attraction that subtly influence global perceptions and foster goodwill. In essence, the argument has been that science helps "get others to want what you want through attraction." While this perspective holds undeniable truth, particularly in fostering international cooperation and cultural exchange, it is an increasingly insufficient lens through which to view the strategic importance of scientific capability in the 21st century. The complex geopolitical landscape of today, marked by intense competition and evolving security paradigms, demands a more robust understanding of science’s role, extending far beyond mere attraction.

The foundational elements of national strength, as alluded to by Prime Minister Carney’s metaphor of a table with essential legs, are undergoing a profound transformation. Economic sovereignty, the capacity for industrial self-reliance, and national security are no longer solely predicated on traditional economic or military might. Instead, they are becoming intrinsically linked to a nation’s ability to harness, deploy, and protect its research and innovation ecosystems. Scientific capability, therefore, transcends the mere production of knowledge. It represents a nation’s capacity to maintain technological sovereignty – the ability to independently develop and control critical technologies – and to actively contribute to the complex architecture of global governance. Consequently, science, technology, and innovation must be elevated from peripheral considerations to become integral pillars of Canada’s foreign policy.

Quebec’s Early Recognition of Science Diplomacy

Within Canada, the province of Quebec has demonstrated a prescient understanding of the strategic value of science and technology, often outpacing other jurisdictions in its proactive approach. Recognizing that its vibrant research ecosystem can serve as a potent international asset, Quebec has spearheaded several key initiatives designed to foster science diplomacy. These initiatives aim to cultivate robust relationships between Quebec and leading global scientific and technological players, thereby enhancing the province’s influence and collaborative potential.

A significant stride in this direction was the establishment of a network of science and innovation attachés strategically placed in key international locations. This network acts as a crucial conduit, facilitating dialogue, identifying collaborative opportunities, and promoting Quebec’s scientific expertise on the global stage. Complementing this external outreach, Quebec has also established a dedicated network of science diplomacy research chairs, supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec. This initiative aims to build domestic capacity and expertise in the burgeoning field of science diplomacy, ensuring that Quebec’s approach is informed by rigorous academic inquiry and strategic foresight.

Challenges and Opportunities in Science Diplomacy

Despite these commendable achievements, the full potential of Quebec’s science diplomacy agenda remains to be realized. The current structure, with science diplomacy portfolios dispersed across various ministries and agencies, can lead to fragmentation and a lack of cohesive strategy. In some instances, the driving force behind these initiatives has been the leadership of individual champions, such as Quebec’s outgoing chief scientist, whose departure could potentially jeopardize the long-term sustainability and institutional support for these crucial endeavors.

Furthermore, the engagement of the broader research community in Quebec’s science diplomacy vision and agenda has been limited. While many researchers possess world-class expertise, a significant opportunity exists to more effectively mobilize this talent to contribute to national and international objectives. In an era of intensifying scientific and technological competition, a more unified and broadly supported approach to science diplomacy is not just advantageous; it is an imperative that should be seized with urgency.

Navigating a Fragmented World Through Science

The global landscape has undeniably shifted. Recent years have starkly illustrated that science and technology are not merely engines of progress but also potent instruments and focal points of geopolitical competition. The imposition of export controls on advanced AI chips, critical for cutting-edge artificial intelligence development, and the escalating emphasis on research security – the protection of sensitive research from misuse or foreign exploitation – are tangible manifestations of how scientific activity is increasingly entangled with the complexities of geopolitics. This entanglement necessitates a recalibrating of how nations engage with and leverage their scientific capabilities.

This evolving reality does not, however, signal an abandonment of international scientific collaboration. On the contrary, the imperative for cooperation remains paramount. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and the ethical development of artificial intelligence demand collaborative solutions that transcend national borders. Organizations like the International Science Council have repeatedly emphasized that "international scientific collaboration is vital yet vulnerable." The crucial implication is that science diplomacy must now operate within a nuanced paradigm where collaboration and competition are not mutually exclusive but rather coexist.

For policymakers in Quebec and across Canada, this necessitates a careful consideration of how their scientific and technological strengths can be strategically integrated into a foreign policy framework capable of navigating an increasingly fragmented world. The objective should not be to instrumentalize science for narrow, short-term geopolitical gains, which could undermine trust and long-term scientific progress. Instead, science and technology should be woven into a foreign policy approach that is both deeply rooted in Canadian values and acutely aware of the strategic realities of the international arena.

Broader Implications for Research and Innovation

Such an integrated approach would yield significant benefits not only for federal and provincial governments but also for the research community itself. A stronger, more formalized linkage between science, technology, innovation, and foreign policy would empower research actors to play a more influential role in shaping global governance norms and standards, particularly in emerging technological fields. It would also provide them with enhanced mechanisms for identifying vulnerabilities in global scientific supply chains, crucial for maintaining research continuity and security. Furthermore, it would unlock greater access to international funding streams and collaborative opportunities.

Some may contend that such policy engagement risks "tainting" the apolitical nature of science. However, in an era where technological advancements are fundamentally reshaping global governance structures and societal dynamics, science can no longer afford to operate in isolation from the broader political and societal context. The very nature of scientific discovery and its application now inherently intersects with geopolitical considerations, ethical debates, and economic competitiveness.

Science as a Source of Strategic Influence

Scientific capability increasingly translates into three distinct forms of strategic influence:

1. Knowledge Power: This refers to the capacity to produce frontier research that pushes the boundaries of human understanding and innovation. Canada’s established strength in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and clean energy research contributes significantly to this dimension.
2. Technology Power: This involves the ability to translate scientific discoveries into tangible technological and industrial capabilities. This is where the economic and security implications of scientific advancement become most apparent, driving industrial growth and national security.
3. Network Power: This encompasses the ability to shape international research collaborations, set global standards, and influence the direction of scientific discourse. Canada’s participation in international consortia and its role in shaping global norms, for instance, in AI ethics, exemplifies this influence.

For science and technology to truly become foundational pillars of Canadian foreign policy, the nation must move beyond viewing science solely as a generator of soft power. The remarkable achievements in Canada’s artificial intelligence ecosystem serve as a powerful case study. The establishment of three national AI research institutes – Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute), and the Vector Institute – alongside the Canadian AI Safety Institute, which includes a dedicated research program at CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research), has amplified the impact of Canadian AI research on a global scale. These initiatives not only foster cutting-edge research but also cultivate talent, drive economic innovation, and position Canada as a leader in shaping responsible AI development.

Canada already possesses a robust research capacity and extensive global networks. The central challenge lies in effectively transforming these considerable assets into tangible strategic influence. This requires a more deliberate and synergistic alignment between research, innovation, and foreign policy objectives. Achieving this alignment necessitates striking a delicate balance: advancing science and technology for the global public good while simultaneously leveraging their strategic importance in an increasingly competitive geopolitical environment.

To facilitate this crucial balancing act, Canada could consider several strategic approaches:

• Enhanced Coordination and Strategy Development: The federal government, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, could establish a more integrated national strategy for science diplomacy. This would involve identifying key scientific and technological areas of strategic importance, coordinating funding mechanisms, and streamlining intergovernmental efforts. A dedicated interdepartmental task force or a strengthened role for Global Affairs Canada in science and innovation engagement could be instrumental. This would ensure that investments in research and development are aligned with foreign policy priorities and that scientific expertise is readily available to inform diplomatic efforts. For instance, during international negotiations on climate change or digital governance, Canada’s scientific experts could be embedded within diplomatic delegations to provide real-time technical insights and advocate for evidence-based policies.

• Targeted Investment in Strategic Research Areas: Beyond general support for scientific inquiry, Canada could strategically invest in research areas that hold significant potential for both global impact and national strategic advantage. This includes areas like quantum computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, clean energy technologies, and cybersecurity. By fostering world-leading expertise in these domains, Canada can enhance its economic competitiveness, bolster its national security, and exert greater influence on the international stage. For example, significant government investment in quantum computing research could lead to breakthroughs with applications in cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science, thereby creating new industries and enhancing Canada’s technological sovereignty. This would also position Canada as a key player in shaping the global governance of quantum technologies.

• Leveraging Research Networks for Diplomatic Engagement: Canada’s existing global research networks and partnerships can be further leveraged as powerful tools for diplomatic engagement. This could involve actively supporting international research collaborations that align with Canadian foreign policy objectives, such as promoting sustainable development, global health security, or responsible technological advancement. By fostering these collaborative environments, Canada can build trust, share knowledge, and cultivate long-term relationships with key international partners. This could include initiatives like jointly funding international research projects focused on pandemic preparedness, where collaboration can lead to faster vaccine development and more effective global response mechanisms. Furthermore, Canada can champion international standards for emerging technologies, ensuring that they are developed and deployed in a manner that reflects Canadian values of inclusivity, human rights, and democratic principles. This proactive engagement in standard-setting can significantly amplify Canada’s influence in shaping the future of technology and its global governance.

The integration of science and technology into Canada’s foreign policy is not merely an academic exercise; it is a pragmatic necessity for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. By strategically harnessing its scientific prowess, Canada can solidify its position as a nation of influence, contributing to global well-being while safeguarding its own prosperity and security in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. The time to fully recognize and operationalize science as a cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy is now.