The northern way: transmission and operationalization of a Nordic model in Canada

Journal article, 2025

Canada and the Nordic countries have historically been regarded as exemplary progressive models in both social and foreign policy, inspiring proclamations of an inherent transatlantic “northern” identity. This article disputes such arguments by surveying how ideas of Canadian–Nordic commonality have been historically and politically constructed in the period 1960–2020. Canadian interest in the Nordic region has proved variable during this period, affecting transatlantic relations and inspiring instances of political transfer, particularly in family policy. Overall, we identify some unique elements of Nordic images in Canada and illustrate the influence of transatlantic language communities in their spread and impact.