THE PARADIPLOMACY OF THE CANADIAN PROVINCES AND ITS ROLE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF NORTH AMERICA

Abstract

This article analyzes the paradiplomacy of the Canadian provinces within the North American region in order to define its relevance in the governance of the region in crucial themes under their jurisdiction. In the first section, the dimension and characteristics of Canadian provinces’ paradiplomacy are examined, as well as the factors explaining these international activities, such as federalism, decentralization, globalization and the new forms of governance. In the second section, the dimension of international activities of three provinces are considered: Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, both in the North American region and in other regions of the world, focusing on the type and objectives of the international activities as well as their effects on the regional governance in North America. Although Quebec continues being the Canadian province with the highest level of international activities, other provinces in this country such as Alberta and British Columbia have increasingly expanded their activities beyond national frontiers in recent decades in order to promote their interests abroad and solve global and regional problems through the international action.