Anvesh Jain: Canada is almost invisible in D.C. We have to change that, fast

How did we let ourselves become dependent on a U.S.-funded think tank that was erased with the stroke of Trump's pen?

By: Anvesh Jain

The tragic and unexpected closure of the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute last spring sent shockwaves through Canadian policy circles. For nearly a quarter-century, the Institute served as a vital, non-governmental link between Ottawa and Washington — an intellectual home for Canadians in D.C., a platform for politicians, and a launching pad for the next generation of policy talent.

Its sudden demise by Trump executive order raises uncomfortable questions: If the institute was so vital to Canada, why was its existence so dependent on American funding? And why haven’t we invested in comparable institutions to ensure our voice is heard in the U.S. Capitol?

For years, Canada relied on an informal approach to Washington. We thought our geographic proximity, shared culture, and maple-coated Canuck charm would always make us welcome visitors. Those chummy assumptions have left us ill-equipped to navigate the increasing volatility of American politics. Since November, we’ve sent a revolving door of federal and provincial officials down south for fleeting, one-off meetings, as if a barrage of weekend trips could substitute a sustained presence. In a city where relationships are everything, this hasn’t just come across as ineffective — it’s annoying.

For all the recent hue and cry, Canada remains a blip on the American radar. The history of our shared border is barely taught in U.S. graduate programs, and Canada rarely features in American curricula. While the U.S. news cycle dominates up north, the reverse is far from true. This lack of awareness has allowed populist myths about the relationship to foment, from fentanyl to free expression to supply management. We are sorely lacking in the institutional infrastructure needed to counter widespread misconceptions about our country.

We should also be honest with ourselves. Even before the recent downturn, the bilateral relationship had grown rote. With the USMCA review looming, the need to renew how we talk and think about North America is more salient than ever. The scale of the decisions facing us makes the absence of a venue for dialogue all the more regrettable.

It’s easy to forget from our “fireproof house” that Washington is dealing with a world of troubles. Threatened by an “Axis of Upheaval,” Canada is often out of sight and out of mind. While our network of 13 diplomatic and consular offices in the U.S. provides crucial services, it can’t be our only means of projecting influence. An embassy, even one performing at its best, has limits on what it can say and do. It needs the support of independent institutions to regularly advance conversations and augment the policy tempo.

Despite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s generational promise to reduce economic dependence on our southern neighbour, Washington will always be central to Canadian planning. As long as we have worthwhile interests in the U.S., we need to be proactive about defending them.

Other nations understand this. The United Kingdom, South Korea, and the U.A.E. all invest heavily in Washington think tanks to preserve and expand their influence. They recognize that soft power requires being there consistently and strategically — not a shoestring budget, a wing, and a prayer. We let the Americans set the tone for the relationship for too long, a decision that has come at our own expense.

This has had real consequences for Canada. We were caught completely off-guard by the results of last year’s presidential election. Despite our supposed closeness, we failed to grasp the depth and breadth of the grievance and changes underway across the United States. While the Europeans could plead geographic distance and cultural separation, what right did we have to miss the resentment brewing in places like West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, or among young American men more broadly?

To not get caught flat-footed again, we must seriously invest in our Washington presence. We need a permanent landing point in D.C. for Canadian policy and thought. Through such a forum, Americans can be introduced to the Canadian perspective and vice versa. To accomplish this, it is time for Canada’s private sector and public institutions — from our largest universities and think tanks to major industry associations — to shed their traditional reticence, open their wallets, and exercise leadership. We need a place where we can have frank conversations about the U.S.-Canada relationship, instead of anxiously waiting for updates from behind closed doors.

For now, the U.S. remains our largest trading partner, our closest defence ally, and our neighbour. Elbows up, down, or sideways — we have no choice but to get the relationship right and remind Americans that they have a stake in getting it right too. A stronger North America frees up the U.S. to focus on other, more pressing global challenges. That means more than sending a ministerial delegation down every few weeks. It requires long-term maturity and a deeper understanding of an America in transformation.

Given the chance, Americans like hearing from Canadians. We should give them more opportunities to do just that, for both our benefit. But before that can happen, Canada needs a permanent home in Washington. Our national interests are simply too important to be left out in the cold.

Anvesh Jain is a national security law scholar at Georgetown University Law Center.

---

The Line is entirely reader and advertiser funded — no federal subsidy for us! If you value our work, have already subscribed, and still worry about what will happen when the conventional media finishes collapsing, please make a donation today. Please note: a donation is not a subscription, and will not grant access to paywalled content. It’s just a way of thanking us for what we do. If you’re looking to subscribe and get full access, it’s that other blue button!

---

The Line is Canada’s last, best hope for irreverent commentary. We reject bullshit. We love lively writing. Please consider supporting us by subscribing. Please follow us on social media! Facebook x 2: On The Line Podcast here, and The Line Podcast here. Instagram. Also: TikTok. BlueSky. LinkedIn. Matt’s Twitter. The Line’s Twitter.Jen’s Twitter. Contact us by email: lineeditor@protonmail.com.