2024 Colloquium – The Strategic Implications of the American Presidential Election

With the upcoming U.S. elections and the possible implications of a change in leadership, a reflection on Canada’s strategic stakes is in order. The colloquium seeks to analyze the strategic implications of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections on the landscape of international relations, with a focus on Canada’s position and strategies. At a time of significant political change in the U.S., we will explore how the election results could reshape global alliances, foreign policies, and international security frameworks by exploring different possible scenarios. Panels will address the challenges of institutional distrust, the rise of misinformation and the repercussions of a potential American withdrawal from international structures, with the aim of analyzing the consequences for the international community and the role of countries like Canada in this new paradigm. Finally, in a context where the evolution of U.S. policy could lead to a significant shift in global leadership, the last panel will explore the actions to be considered to counter the absence of the U.S., highlighting the need for international cooperation and diplomacy to ensure global stability and security.

Conference Agenda:

9:00 – 9:15: Opening remarks

Stéfanie von Hlatky, Associate Dean for Research and Full Professor, Queen’s University

9:15 – 10:15: Keynote speaker: Larisa Galadza, Former Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine

Moderator: Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé, Co-Director and Full Professor, Bishop’s University

10:15 – 10:30: Health Break

10:30 – 12:00: Round Table – The Changing Political and Strategic Environment

As the next U.S. election approaches, this round table brings together the directors of various Canadian research networks to engage in an in-depth reflection on the strategic issues that Canada must prepare for. In this context, it is crucial that Canada anticipates these changes to preserve its interests and principles.

Moderator: Daniel Jean, Member of the Strategic Council

Speakers:

• • Marie-Joëlle Zahar, Director of the Peace Operations Research Network (POR) and Full Professor, Université de Montréal
  • Stephen M. Saideman, Director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CDSN) and Full Professor, Carleton University
  • Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, Chief Operating Officer Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI)
  • Guy Thibault, Chairman of the Board, Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) Institute

12:00 – 13:00: Lunch

13:00 – 14:30: Panel 1 – Towards democratic resilience: The post-truth era

The contemporary political landscape is marked by growing public distrust in the legitimacy of knowledge and public institutions, shaped by hybrid media, disinformation and contestation. In this context, the panel aims to highlight the challenges faced by countries like Canada, and to engage in a reflection in the search for innovative solutions to address these challenges and build resilience in the face of these political and social dynamics.

Moderator: Artur Wilczynski, Member of the Strategic Council
Speakers:

• • Alexandre Sirois, Journalist, La Presse
  • Jean-Christophe Boucher, Associate Professor, University of Calgary
  • David Morin, Professor, Université de Sherbrooke
  • Michelle Tessier, Former Deputy Director of Operations, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
  • Marc Doucet, Professor, St. Mary’s University

14:30 – 14:45: Health break

14:45 – 16:00: Panel 2 – The Weakening of International Institutions

With the upcoming US presidential elections, we can anticipate a potential shift in the international order, more specifically in relation to the United States’ disengagement from international institutions.This panel aims to explore the implications of this paradigm shift for the international community as a whole, as well as how Canada can contribute.

Moderator: Kerry Buck, Co-Chair of the Strategic Counsel (RAS) and former Ambassador to NATO

Speakers:

• • Arthur Boutellis, Professor, Columbia University
  • Heidi Hardt, Associate Professor, University of California, Irvine
  • Natascha Hryckow, Former Coordinator of the UN Group of Experts on Somalia

16:00 – 16:50: Defence Policy Talk

Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Stéfanie von Hlatky, Queen’s University

16:50 – 17:00: Closing remarks and Thanks

Justin Massie, Co-Director and Full Professor, UQAM

17:15 – 18:45: Networking cocktail at the Novotel Hotel