Dropping F-Bombs: Canadian Feminist Foreign Policy from Harper to Trudeau and Beyond

Abstract

This paper elucidates important similarities and differences in the Harper (2006-2015) and Trudeau (2015-present) Governments’ use of feminist foreign policy. Since the Trudeau Government took power in 2015, it has often presented itself as a feminist government. But what does it mean to practice a feminist foreign policy? Does the Trudeau Government’s shiny new rhetoric on feminist foreign policy signal true change, or is it simply a more progressive spin on the Harper Government’s approach? This paper undertakes a feminist critical discourse analysis of the Harper and Trudeau Governments’ approaches. Methodologically, this paper draws upon a wide evidence base from both Canada and abroad, including official policy documents, speeches, budget and fiscal documents, parliamentary reports, social media, and news coverage to arrive at a fuller understanding of the nature and magnitude of any shifts in Canadian feminist foreign policy between Harper and Trudeau. Overall, the paper aims to provide a reckoning of the Trudeau Government’s self-identified feminist foreign policy credentials to date, particularly in its rhetoric, policy, and actions. Broadly speaking, the paper moves through four main stages. First, it outlines the theoretical underpinnings of feminist international relations (IR) and feminist foreign policy, casting light on what feminist foreign policy is. Second, it explores the motivations and intentions of states (including Canada) when they practice a feminist foreign policy. Thirdly, it examines the credentials of the Trudeau Government’s feminist foreign policy, particularly in comparison to the Harper Government’s. Fourthly, it concludes with policy recommendations for Canadian feminist foreign policy as it moves forward in a precarious world order. Ultimately, this paper will find that the Trudeau Government’s use of feminist foreign policy is significantly different than the Harper Government’s use of feminist foreign policy, especially in its use of rhetoric and in its attempts to be intersectional, but the actual results of these different intentions remain to be seen.