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Canada in Africa - 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation
Yves Engler continues his groundbreaking analyses of past and present Canadian foreign policy. The author of The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy, and other works that challenge the myth of Canadian benevolence, documents Canadian involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, the “scramble for Africa” and European colonialism. The book reveals Ottawa’s opposition to anticolonial struggles, its support for apartheid South Africa and Idi Amin’s coup, and its role in ousting independence leaders Patrice Lumumba and Kwame Nkrumah. Based on an exhaustive look at the public record as well as on-the-ground research, Canada in Africa shows how the federal government pressed African countries to follow neoliberal economic prescriptions and sheds light on Canada’s part in the violence that has engulfed Somalia, Rwanda and the Congo, as well as how Canada’s indifference to climate change means a death sentence to ever-growing numbers of Africans.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2015
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October 19, 2016
Canada in Africa: 30 Years of Aid and Exploration, by Yves Engler, is a fascinating critique of Canada's role in Africa throughout history, starting with Canada's role in the slave trade in the 18th and early 19th century. Canada (as a set of colonies of Great Britain) participated in the construction of slave ships through its lumber mills in the Maritime provinces, and was the major supplier of foodstuff for slaves through its cod fishing industry. Indeed, 40% of food imports to Caribbean slave colonies were salted cod for slave consumption. Canada also supported colonial regimes in Britain post-1833 (when Britain banned the slave trade in its colonies). Canadians, as subjects of the British Empire, were recruited to work for colonial companies in Kenya, Southern Africa, the Gambia and Ghana. Canadians were also valued in French and Belgian colonies, with many French speaking Canadians acting as explores, mercenaries and colonial administrators for King Leopold's Belgian Congo, one of the most destructive colonies historically. Some even fought for him, gathering slaves and committing atrocities to local populations.
Canadians administered Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising - with a Canadian acting as Chief of Police for the colony during its height. Canadians administered British South Africa, Ghana, Rhodesia and so on, often participating in racially motivated atrocities that were common in African colonies at the time. Engler is also critical of missionary work by Canadians in this era. Some of the largest protestant missionary groups in Africa were started by Torontonian's, who projected racially motivated ideals, suppressed African culture, and worked closely with colonial administrators.
During decolonization, Canada as a nation supported a slow movement toward freedom. Canada itself gained independence slowly and relatively peacefully, and did not support rapid African decolonization for a number of reasons. First, Canadian administrators and politicians were often still operating under racial ideals in the '60's. They looked at White rule as "enlightening" and needed to ensure African people's would eventually achieve proper, Canadian style independence. In this vein, Canada first supported colonial regimes in Africa, through investment, trade and lend-lease style programs. Canadian businesses often left newly independent states (like Ghana, Guinea and so on) and switched operations to still colonial administrations. Canada sold weapons, aircraft and parts to colonial militaries in Algeria, the Congo and Portuguese Africa. Canada also supported "moderate" states, like Zambia, Southern Rhodesia and South Africa, who did not interfere as readily in nationalizing Canadian business interests or aligning with the Soviet block.
Engler then moves into the neo-liberal era. Canadian business interests in modern Africa are heavily mineral based. A good chunk of mineral exploitation companies currently listed in Africa are based in Canada, or partially owned by Canadian businesses. These businesses have engaged in some shady dealings in Africa. From supporting government atrocities in the Congolese Civil war by giving free access to mining transports and planes, to supporting dictatorship in Burkina Faso, to forced evictions in Tanzania, to influencing national tax policies in Zambia (and on and on) Canadian businesses have come to represent the most ideological form of neo-liberalism imaginable. Far from being a progressive liberal democracy, Canadian officials have actively encourage this behavior, by negotiating corporate friendly Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FTIP's) with many African nations, which allow Canadian companies to sue African governments for breach of contract if they try and alter negotiated agreements, even if it is democratically sanctioned.
Canada has recently become involved in highly questionable NATO and military interventions in Africa as well. Libya is an example where Canadian troops have been instrumental in the NATO lead military action in the country (which has had almost nilch results). The new Trudeau government has begun to explore this further, offering peace-keeping forces to Mauritania, for example, where Canada has large mineral concessions and Canadian owned mining companies are quite powerful. Canada as an arms dealer is also explored. Canada sold weapons and ammunition to the French regime in Algeria during the worse excesses of the Algerian War, weapons and military vehicles to the Kabilia regime in the DRC, and so on.
Engler's book is completely critical of the position that Canada is a warm and fuzzy influence in foreign policy circles. Canada engages in similar "neo-colonial" excesses as any nation. Engler takes a very Marxist (scholarly) approach to this issue, and accuses Canada of economic, social and political repression in Africa throughout history. Some of the discourse here is quite extreme in nature, and I do not personally agree with all that has been written. Canada, like any nation, will promote its economic interests abroad, and has every right to do so. It is when those rights interfere with emergent nations, and contradict the "Canadian values" we hold so dear, that it becomes a problem. Engler's book is so good here because it offers a rare critique of Canadian foreign policy. Canadians are mostly unaware of the influence we have globally, and may be surprised to learn that this nation is one of the most powerful mineral extracting actors in the globe. They may also be surprised to learn Canada has signed FTIP's with 12 very poor African nations.
Canada is uniquely positioned in the world to enter the African market. We are speak both French and English, two of the major political languages in much of Africa. We have never directly held any colonial territory. We have massive technical experience in resource extraction, with oil, minerals and forestry, as well as fishing, being major historical industries. These influences have driven us to begin to exploit the resources of Africa. The way we do so will dictate how Africa will feel about Canada as a nation in the future. The way things stand now, however, Canada is finding it very difficult to be a "good neighbor." It has prioritized short term profit for private mining industries over longer term economic relationships which could have a massive positive impact both on the Canadian economy, and those of its sovereign partners in Africa. Engler's book has done an excellent job critiquing Canada's relationship with African nation's, and is an important and recommended read for Canadians looking to learn more on the impact their nation has on the world. This sort of book is a rare thing, and although quite belligerent in its rhetoric, it offers a strong, well researched critique of Canada as a positive force, and shows we can be just as bad as any American, Ayn Rand inspired business. It is important we learn this, critique it, and ensure our values as a nation are first and foremost adhered to by the corporate entities that act as Canadian ambassadors on the African continent. If we don't, we will never have opportunities like this again without a healthy dose of skepticism by potential investment partners. Hghly recommended for those interested in Canadian and African policy.
Canadians administered Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising - with a Canadian acting as Chief of Police for the colony during its height. Canadians administered British South Africa, Ghana, Rhodesia and so on, often participating in racially motivated atrocities that were common in African colonies at the time. Engler is also critical of missionary work by Canadians in this era. Some of the largest protestant missionary groups in Africa were started by Torontonian's, who projected racially motivated ideals, suppressed African culture, and worked closely with colonial administrators.
During decolonization, Canada as a nation supported a slow movement toward freedom. Canada itself gained independence slowly and relatively peacefully, and did not support rapid African decolonization for a number of reasons. First, Canadian administrators and politicians were often still operating under racial ideals in the '60's. They looked at White rule as "enlightening" and needed to ensure African people's would eventually achieve proper, Canadian style independence. In this vein, Canada first supported colonial regimes in Africa, through investment, trade and lend-lease style programs. Canadian businesses often left newly independent states (like Ghana, Guinea and so on) and switched operations to still colonial administrations. Canada sold weapons, aircraft and parts to colonial militaries in Algeria, the Congo and Portuguese Africa. Canada also supported "moderate" states, like Zambia, Southern Rhodesia and South Africa, who did not interfere as readily in nationalizing Canadian business interests or aligning with the Soviet block.
Engler then moves into the neo-liberal era. Canadian business interests in modern Africa are heavily mineral based. A good chunk of mineral exploitation companies currently listed in Africa are based in Canada, or partially owned by Canadian businesses. These businesses have engaged in some shady dealings in Africa. From supporting government atrocities in the Congolese Civil war by giving free access to mining transports and planes, to supporting dictatorship in Burkina Faso, to forced evictions in Tanzania, to influencing national tax policies in Zambia (and on and on) Canadian businesses have come to represent the most ideological form of neo-liberalism imaginable. Far from being a progressive liberal democracy, Canadian officials have actively encourage this behavior, by negotiating corporate friendly Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FTIP's) with many African nations, which allow Canadian companies to sue African governments for breach of contract if they try and alter negotiated agreements, even if it is democratically sanctioned.
Canada has recently become involved in highly questionable NATO and military interventions in Africa as well. Libya is an example where Canadian troops have been instrumental in the NATO lead military action in the country (which has had almost nilch results). The new Trudeau government has begun to explore this further, offering peace-keeping forces to Mauritania, for example, where Canada has large mineral concessions and Canadian owned mining companies are quite powerful. Canada as an arms dealer is also explored. Canada sold weapons and ammunition to the French regime in Algeria during the worse excesses of the Algerian War, weapons and military vehicles to the Kabilia regime in the DRC, and so on.
Engler's book is completely critical of the position that Canada is a warm and fuzzy influence in foreign policy circles. Canada engages in similar "neo-colonial" excesses as any nation. Engler takes a very Marxist (scholarly) approach to this issue, and accuses Canada of economic, social and political repression in Africa throughout history. Some of the discourse here is quite extreme in nature, and I do not personally agree with all that has been written. Canada, like any nation, will promote its economic interests abroad, and has every right to do so. It is when those rights interfere with emergent nations, and contradict the "Canadian values" we hold so dear, that it becomes a problem. Engler's book is so good here because it offers a rare critique of Canadian foreign policy. Canadians are mostly unaware of the influence we have globally, and may be surprised to learn that this nation is one of the most powerful mineral extracting actors in the globe. They may also be surprised to learn Canada has signed FTIP's with 12 very poor African nations.
Canada is uniquely positioned in the world to enter the African market. We are speak both French and English, two of the major political languages in much of Africa. We have never directly held any colonial territory. We have massive technical experience in resource extraction, with oil, minerals and forestry, as well as fishing, being major historical industries. These influences have driven us to begin to exploit the resources of Africa. The way we do so will dictate how Africa will feel about Canada as a nation in the future. The way things stand now, however, Canada is finding it very difficult to be a "good neighbor." It has prioritized short term profit for private mining industries over longer term economic relationships which could have a massive positive impact both on the Canadian economy, and those of its sovereign partners in Africa. Engler's book has done an excellent job critiquing Canada's relationship with African nation's, and is an important and recommended read for Canadians looking to learn more on the impact their nation has on the world. This sort of book is a rare thing, and although quite belligerent in its rhetoric, it offers a strong, well researched critique of Canada as a positive force, and shows we can be just as bad as any American, Ayn Rand inspired business. It is important we learn this, critique it, and ensure our values as a nation are first and foremost adhered to by the corporate entities that act as Canadian ambassadors on the African continent. If we don't, we will never have opportunities like this again without a healthy dose of skepticism by potential investment partners. Hghly recommended for those interested in Canadian and African policy.
October 30, 2020
Yves Engler is a Canadian leftist author on a mission: to expose the Canadian state for its unrelenting imperialism and neo-colonialism in developing countries.
Canada been wildly successful in promoting the image of a friendly, peace-keeping nation of overly-apologetic but contented people. Foreign policy missteps are often attributed to the much larger and more powerful brother sharing its bedroom. It certainly can't be disputed that Canada's relationship with the U.S. dictates much of its foreign policy; one journalist has even commented that the Canadian military would be more likely to assist the U.S. in an invasion of Canada than it would be to defend its own borders.
However, as Engler makes evident in Canada in Africa, a much less charitable version of Canada's history and ongoing events on the African continent has remained untold. Earning its nationhood with a willingness (if not outright enthusiasm) to assist Great Britain in the enslavement and colonization of Africa, Canada's African legacy serves as a backdrop for the violence continually doled out by its corporations on behalf of extractive industries, and by its government in service of neoliberal power.
Even for readers aware of Canada's oppressive treatment of First Nations, Engler's Canada will seem nearly unrecognizable. At times, he states (almost apologetically) how exhausting this information can be to take in. I'm inclined to agree. While I can't discredit him for being incredibly well-researched, I was frustrated by the constant barrage of new names, dates, and acronyms. He knows his readers will be unfamiliar with the material, but he does little to ease their burden. These facts should feel explosive and confrontational; instead they feel like bullet points to be memorized for an exam.
If you're not sure whether you can handle a cover to cover reading of Canada in Africa, I strongly recommend Engler's writing in Canadian Dimension and The Canada Files. The newly launched Canadian Foreign Policy Files Podcast, featuring Engler with writers Aidan Jonah and Arnold August, looks extremely promising as well. While I'm hesitant to invest in another one of his books, I'm very excited to see how his mission unfolds.
Canada been wildly successful in promoting the image of a friendly, peace-keeping nation of overly-apologetic but contented people. Foreign policy missteps are often attributed to the much larger and more powerful brother sharing its bedroom. It certainly can't be disputed that Canada's relationship with the U.S. dictates much of its foreign policy; one journalist has even commented that the Canadian military would be more likely to assist the U.S. in an invasion of Canada than it would be to defend its own borders.
However, as Engler makes evident in Canada in Africa, a much less charitable version of Canada's history and ongoing events on the African continent has remained untold. Earning its nationhood with a willingness (if not outright enthusiasm) to assist Great Britain in the enslavement and colonization of Africa, Canada's African legacy serves as a backdrop for the violence continually doled out by its corporations on behalf of extractive industries, and by its government in service of neoliberal power.
Even for readers aware of Canada's oppressive treatment of First Nations, Engler's Canada will seem nearly unrecognizable. At times, he states (almost apologetically) how exhausting this information can be to take in. I'm inclined to agree. While I can't discredit him for being incredibly well-researched, I was frustrated by the constant barrage of new names, dates, and acronyms. He knows his readers will be unfamiliar with the material, but he does little to ease their burden. These facts should feel explosive and confrontational; instead they feel like bullet points to be memorized for an exam.
If you're not sure whether you can handle a cover to cover reading of Canada in Africa, I strongly recommend Engler's writing in Canadian Dimension and The Canada Files. The newly launched Canadian Foreign Policy Files Podcast, featuring Engler with writers Aidan Jonah and Arnold August, looks extremely promising as well. While I'm hesitant to invest in another one of his books, I'm very excited to see how his mission unfolds.
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October 6, 2015http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/1...
Review by Daniel Tseghay
The strength of a myth is probably clearest in its capacity to seduce its victims as much as its beneficiaries. While white Canadians have an ego-massaging reason for believing that this country is faultless, a moral beacon, and a peacekeeping global citizen, the fact that some immigrants are equally misled is a testament to the myth's endurance.
I immigrated to Canada from Eritrea, a north-eastern African country, at the age of three. Since then, I've heard the myth of Canada's relationship with Africa -- from settlers and immigrants alike. It's embedded in the talking points of this country's state representatives, in our media's echoing of government press releases, and in casual conversations about good Canadians helping those poor Africans.
But, it is, of course, a lie -- a construction begun long ago, persisting to conceal exploitation, theft, and brutality.
Yves Engler tells this long story in Canada in Africa: 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation. It's not his first book detailing this country's foreign policy. He's also written The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper's Foreign Policy (2012); Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid (2010); Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (2009); and Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority (2005), co-written with Anthony Fenton; among a few other books.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/1...
Review by Daniel Tseghay
The strength of a myth is probably clearest in its capacity to seduce its victims as much as its beneficiaries. While white Canadians have an ego-massaging reason for believing that this country is faultless, a moral beacon, and a peacekeeping global citizen, the fact that some immigrants are equally misled is a testament to the myth's endurance.
I immigrated to Canada from Eritrea, a north-eastern African country, at the age of three. Since then, I've heard the myth of Canada's relationship with Africa -- from settlers and immigrants alike. It's embedded in the talking points of this country's state representatives, in our media's echoing of government press releases, and in casual conversations about good Canadians helping those poor Africans.
But, it is, of course, a lie -- a construction begun long ago, persisting to conceal exploitation, theft, and brutality.
Yves Engler tells this long story in Canada in Africa: 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation. It's not his first book detailing this country's foreign policy. He's also written The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper's Foreign Policy (2012); Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid (2010); Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (2009); and Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority (2005), co-written with Anthony Fenton; among a few other books.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/1...
February 13, 2023
So much to be said about this book that the best is to just say: read it, read it, read it!
Read it and discover how evil is the Anglo-Saxon sphere in general and rogue Canada in particular.
(read in Beijing, China)
Read it and discover how evil is the Anglo-Saxon sphere in general and rogue Canada in particular.
(read in Beijing, China)
October 26, 2020
Excellent book. Very well researched, tons of information about Canadian governmental and corporate exploitation of Africa that I had no idea about.
There was definitely a stronger emphasis on more recent interactions between Canada and Africa, but that is more due to Canada’s increasing world imperialism over the last 300 years than any flaws in research methodology I think. One weakness is that there isn’t an index, but the chapters are sufficiently focused that it is fairly straightforward to find a specific style of exploitation fairly quickly (eg. current Canadian mining operations in the DRC, or Canadian support for the British Empire in Egypt or some such thing).
A bit dry to read at times, but that’s just the way that this style of research will translate into a book, and after reading it for a while you get used to it. I would recommend looking up things as you go, as often the context for a specific instance of violence or corruption or whatever isn’t always explained so it can be helpful to get some basic background info.
Second book of Engler’s that I’ve read, similarly impressed with the research as in the first one.
There was definitely a stronger emphasis on more recent interactions between Canada and Africa, but that is more due to Canada’s increasing world imperialism over the last 300 years than any flaws in research methodology I think. One weakness is that there isn’t an index, but the chapters are sufficiently focused that it is fairly straightforward to find a specific style of exploitation fairly quickly (eg. current Canadian mining operations in the DRC, or Canadian support for the British Empire in Egypt or some such thing).
A bit dry to read at times, but that’s just the way that this style of research will translate into a book, and after reading it for a while you get used to it. I would recommend looking up things as you go, as often the context for a specific instance of violence or corruption or whatever isn’t always explained so it can be helpful to get some basic background info.
Second book of Engler’s that I’ve read, similarly impressed with the research as in the first one.
April 24, 2025
Indispensable history of Canadian involvement in the subjugation of Africa. This book is a pretty incredible feat for Yves and one of many in his profound, prolific, heroic, continuing career of research writing and journalism. Highly, skillfully researched and with narrow, precise conviction about Canada's identifying role in the economic subjugation of Africa. This book expands and clarifies the scope of understanding of how Canada and Canadians, even before confederation, have contributed enormously to the underdevelopment and violence bestowed on Africa by the west. Yves paints the entire picture and leaves no rock unturned, from religion, economics, intervention, war, trade, aid, and environment. One finishes this book having learned a whole new and vital history of Canada.
January 16, 2024
The beginning is a mess of names and historical ephemera but the later chapters (1950s onwards) are very strong and informative
January 3, 2025
I cannot fathom the amount of time it took to research for and to create this book
May 2, 2020
"Punching above their weight" has been a popular phrase used by pundits to describe Canada's contribution to world politics for decades. It's usually said with a certain amount of astonishment, in a celebratory tone.
How little we knew. For centuries, first as colonies and then as a nation, from making a nice living contributing to the slave trade to the exploitation of African resources and the political and economic interference that always seems to go with that, Engler exposes Canadian business and governments, both Conservative and Liberal, as enthusiastic participants in the sordid business of empires. As he does in all his books, be prepared for Engler's no holds barred, in depth exposure of the facts. You may be shocked, as I was. No more Mr nice guy.
How little we knew. For centuries, first as colonies and then as a nation, from making a nice living contributing to the slave trade to the exploitation of African resources and the political and economic interference that always seems to go with that, Engler exposes Canadian business and governments, both Conservative and Liberal, as enthusiastic participants in the sordid business of empires. As he does in all his books, be prepared for Engler's no holds barred, in depth exposure of the facts. You may be shocked, as I was. No more Mr nice guy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews