Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): As Canada seeks to reset its relationship with the United States, Alberta is stepping up with a bold new approach: grassroots diplomacy. The provincial government has committed $6.5 million to support the New North America Initiative (NNAI), a policy-driven effort housed at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.
The initiative aims to shift the traditional centre of Canada-U.S. engagement—both geographically and ideologically—away from elite circles and toward local communities. It will prioritize regional engagement, collaborative research, and bottom-up solutions to cross-border challenges.
“With the ongoing strain in Canada-U.S. relations, it’s clear that conventional approaches haven’t been enough,” said Martha Hall Findlay, Director of the School of Public Policy. “We need new thinking, fresh voices, and engagement rooted in the realities of everyday people across both countries. That’s what the New North America Initiative is designed to deliver.”
Filling a Diplomatic Void
For over 20 years, Washington D.C.’s Wilson Center’s Canada Institute has been the primary forum for Canada-U.S. dialogue. But in March, a sweeping executive order from President Donald Trump cut a third of its funding. By April, most of its staff were furloughed, leaving the institute effectively dormant.
Alberta is stepping in to help fill the gap. In May, Premier Danielle Smith announced the province’s financial backing for the NNAI.
“Our relationship with the U.S. has hit a rocky patch,” Smith said during a May 16 press conference. “But we see every challenge as an opportunity. If things are going to change, we want them to change for the better.”
The NNAI is expected to launch by spring 2026, led by Carlo Dade, Director of International Policy at the School of Public Policy. Dade says the initiative will focus on real-world research and direct engagement with communities often overlooked in foreign policy conversations.
A Local Lens on a Continental Partnership
Varun Chandrasekar, press secretary for Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education, said the initiative will address a significant gap in academic research on the Canada-U.S. relationship—particularly as it relates to Alberta and western Canada.
“To respond effectively to the evolving dynamics between our countries, every region must be represented in our research and policymaking,” Chandrasekar stated.
Rather than relying solely on top-down consultations, Dade emphasizes the importance of regional voices. “We’re going straight to local leaders—small business owners, chambers of commerce, and everyday citizens,” he said. “This isn’t about ivory towers; it’s about Prairie pragmatism.”
He argues that current messaging—such as reminding Americans that Canada is their top trading partner—doesn’t resonate unless the relationship directly affects local jobs or businesses. In contrast, Alberta’s economy depends heavily on U.S. exports, which make up nearly two-thirds of its total trade, while many U.S. states only rely on Canada for a small fraction of their GDP.
The goal, according to Dade, is to reframe the relationship around shared concerns: energy development, Indigenous relations, rural-urban divides, and natural disaster response.
“By focusing on real issues that affect people on both sides of the border, we can build a shared vision—one that transcends partisanship and political cycles.”
Building Cross-Border Ties
The NNAI also aims to train a new generation of policy professionals. Students from across Alberta will have the opportunity to participate, and partnerships are already in the works with institutions across the Rocky Mountain region in the U.S.
One such prospective partner is Brian Lewandowski, Executive Director at the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business. He believes that state-level engagement with Canada can foster stronger international ties.
“There are many opportunities to align on issues like AI, industrial supply chains, and labour mobility,” Lewandowski said. “We can find common ground that rises above political divisions.”
A Two-Way Diplomatic Channel
While the initiative will bolster Alberta’s influence in the U.S., American officials are also taking note. Emily Fleckner, U.S. Consul General in Calgary, welcomed the effort.
“The New North America Initiative gives our partners a chance to rethink how they engage with and understand the United States,” Fleckner said. “It also helps us deepen our understanding of Canada’s regional priorities—which ultimately supports U.S. interests as well.”
In 2023, Alberta recorded the second-largest trade volume with the United States among Canadian provinces—over USD $139.3 billion—trailing only Ontario. With such deep economic ties, both sides stand to benefit from renewed collaboration.
As diplomatic channels shift away from Washington’s marble halls toward the Prairies and beyond, Alberta is betting that grassroots engagement may be the key to a stronger, more resilient Canada-U.S. partnership.
