Discovering the Americas describes and analyzes the evolution of Canadian foreign policy towards Latin America. The book is divided into three parts, each reflecting a distinct phase of Canada's relations with the Americas. Part 1 traces Canada's minimal relations from the beginning of the century until the Trudeau years. Part 2 examines the Trudeau era when, partly propelled by nationalism, Canada sought a more independent role in its relations with Latin America. Part 3 discusses the post- 1984 era, which has been marked by the prospect of an emerging hegemony in the Americas.

Recent events in the western hemisphere have led to a dramatic shift in the strategic and political importance of Latin America. But with relations still cool between the United States and Cuba, and Venezuela becoming more distant every day, there is considerable potential for Canada – with its longstanding commitment to constructive engagement – to forge mutually beneficial relations with these nations as well as rising industrial and economic players such as Mexico and Brazil. In Canada Looks South, experts on foreign policy in Canada and Central America provide a timely exploration of Canada’s growing role in the Americas and the most pressing issues of the region. Starting with the historical scope of the bilateral relationship, the volume goes on to cover such subjects as trade engagement, democratization, and security. As current and future Canadian governments embrace expanding linkages with this region, this collection fills a significant gap in scholarship on Canadian-Latin American relations.

In Canada, Latin America, and the New Internationalism Brian Stevenson argues that Canada's foreign policy toward Latin America has been profoundly affected by these three factors and has evolved in response to both changing domestic demands and shifting international circumstances. By analysing a pivotal period in Canada-Latin American relations, he shows us how successive Canadian governments made important initiatives toward closer relationships with Latin America and were also pressured by non-governmental organizations to play a bigger role in the region. Canada's increased role can be seen in official foreign policy commitments, such as the decision to join the Organization of American States, and in policy decisions on political refugees. He explains that while the United States has played a key role in sometimes constraining Canadian foreign policy in the region, it is important to realize that Canadian foreign policy has been steadied by a long-standing tradition of internationalism. Canada, Latin America, and the New Internationalism demonstrates that the tradition of internationalism in Canadian foreign policy as viewed from the perspective of foreign policy analysis provides the framework within which to understand and accommodate changes in its policy toward Latin America. The period which the book explores is critical in order to understand the contemporary nature and future direction of Canada-Latin America relations.