Canada should treat its global diaspora as a strategic economic province
The author argues that Canada has ignored a de-facto “eleventh province” of citizens abroad and needs a formal diaspora engagement strategy.
Canada’s overseas community, estimated at three million people, spans major hubs from Silicon Valley to Singapore, yet the government has no dedicated policy to engage them. The author recounts personal experience volunteering in Sri Lanka and founding comdu.it, which has connected diaspora professionals to development projects across the island, demonstrating the potential of coordinated expatriate effort. Comparisons are drawn to countries like Ireland and Israel that institutionalize diaspora contributions, while Canada’s current approach is limited to volunteer groups such as the C100 network.
The article proposes appointing diaspora leaders as official trade envoys, funding diaspora-led initiatives, and reframing the narrative from brain drain to brain circulation. By treating overseas Canadians as national infrastructure, the country could amplify its global influence and economic weight. The proposal urges immediate action to integrate this “eleventh province” into Canada’s development and diplomatic agenda.
Why it matters
Leveraging the skills of millions of Canadians abroad could boost the nation’s economy and global influence.
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