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Canada: An Unsuccessful Period

In terms of the overall Power Score, Canada remains in 13th place of the BPSM-Power-Ranking over the period observed. However, due to a loss in terms of overall Power from 1.84 in 2016 to 1.74 in 2020, the country now ranks 15th considering the Power Shift Rate (-0.098) and 17th as far as the Percentage Power development is concerned (-5.48%). Moreover, Canada comes in 13th place in terms of Country Specific Change with a CC of 5.72. This overview shows that the recent period has not been a successful one for Canada compared to other G19 states.

With regard to the indicator of GDP (PPP), Canada comes 14th, showing a slight increase from 2016 to 2020 leading to a loss in terms of Country Share (from 1.45 to 1.38) due to the country’s performance below average. Regarding the indicator of Exports, a very slight decrease, which equally led to a decrease in Country Share, can be observed. This can also be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the country’s Total Exports and Country Share diminished.

Since 21 Chinese Companies were newly listed on the Fortune 500 between 2016 and 2020, Canada shows the second biggest absolute gain in this dimension with two new companies added, now counting 13. Overall, Canada now ranks 8th in this respect. Regarding the indicator of Reserves, Canada performs at the bottom of the G19 with only three states (Argentina, Australia, and South Africa) showing a fewer number of total reserves. Therefore, the slight increase in reserves registered from 2016 to 2020 still resulted in a decrease in terms of Country Share. Moreover, Canada comes 13th in terms of Military Spending. Thereby, a decent increase over the observed period led to an increase in Country Share.

Turning to the indicator of Chokepoints, Canada comes in last, controlling only one. Canada therefore shares the tail lamp in this sector together with Argentina, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

Considering the indicator of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Canada comes in 12th, registering a decent increase of two new sights over the observed episode, which likewise led to a minimal increase in terms of Country Share in this sector. In the case of Top Universities, it is the English-speaking countries that are among the biggest losers: Canada, the USA, and the UK each lost two universities out of the global ranking.

Overall, the indicators Top Companies, Top Universities and Exports can be pointed out as the pillars of Canada’s global Power Share. The country clearly lost power regarding the dimensions of GDP (PPP), Military Spending, Reserves and Top Universities.

Please cite as:

Center for Global Studies (CGS) (2022). “Bonn Power Shift Monitor: Canada: An Unsuccessful Period”, University of Bonn, Bonn.