XClose

UCL Institute of the Americas

Menu

The UK, the EU and Brexit - a Canadian view

25 November 2019, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm

Mel Cappe

After Brexit, Canada will have access to the EU with less friction than the UK. Are there lessons from Canada to help the UK in its post Brexit world?

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Yes

Cost

Free

Organiser

Oscar Martinez

Location

103
UCL Institute of the Americas
51 Gordon Square
London
WC1H 0PN
United Kingdom

Much has been heard during the Brexit debate about the so-called ‘Canada Plus’ model of a new relationship for the UK with the EU’ based on CETA – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement negotiated between Canada and the EU from May 2009 and finally signed in October 2016. In fact, after Brexit, Canada will have access to the EU with less friction than the UK.  Are there lessons from Canada to help the UK in its post Brexit world and are there lessons from the UK that can help Canada avoid some of the challenges of Brexit? Mel Cappe argues that the role of parliament, political parties, sovereignty, complexity and globalization all play out in ways that make realignment of relations challenging for both Britain and Canada. ‘We need to learn from each other’, he concludes.

(facebook button)

About the Speaker

Mel Cappe

Professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He teaches in the Masters Program and is the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in Public Policy. From 2006-2011, he was President of the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Prior to that, he served four years as the High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom, 2002-2006, and worked as the Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service in Ottawa. Earlier in his career, he held senior economic and policy positions in the Departments of Finance and Industry. He was Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Board, Deputy Minister of the Environment, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Development, Deputy Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Employment Insurance Commission. He did graduate studies in Economics at the Universities of Western Ontario and Toronto and has honorary doctorates from both. In 2009 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contribution to the federal public services.