- The Third Option was a policy pronouncement by Mitchell Sharp in 1972, who was the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada at the time, which proposed that Canada should begin strengthening its own economy and culture and reduce its dependence on United States.
- At the time, there was great fear over Canada's economic future and lots of public discourse of Canada being absorbed into the United States' policies.
- Mitchell Sharp highlights the three options: the status quo; further integrating with the United States; or pursuing other trade and economic relations with other countries for greater independence and diversification.
- The Third Option became a difficult goal to achieve as Canada is still very involved with the United States, however, some argue that with greater international trade liberalization and globalization since the 90s, a 'third option' may be more realistic than before.
- The trade diversification efforts through the Third Option policy proposal, was ultimately deemed a failure.
Mitchell Sharp, “Canada-U.S. Relations: Options for the Future,” International Perspectives (Published by the Canadian Department of External Affairs), Special Issue, autumn 1972, p. 17. https://www.cfc.forces.gc.ca/259/281/275/hache.pdf
For more information on the Third Option and its modern relevance: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3550355
& https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002070207803300206?journalCode=ijxa
& https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0020702015575005
For more information on Mitchell Sharp: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/programs-programmes/od_skelton/mitchell_sharp_bio.aspx?lang=eng
For the link to Mitchell Sharp's publication on the Third Option:
https://books.google.ca/books/about/Canada_U_S_Relations_Options_for_the_Fut.html?id=8wjNSgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y