Canada is a great nation. It is rich in resources, enjoys a high standard of living, serves with distinction as a-peacekeeper, is a role model for multiculturalism and has earned a place at the table in multilateral negotiations.

Yet, despite hosting the G8 and G20 summits this summer, Canada does not play a leading role in international affairs. The reasons it doesn't, why it should and how it can are lucidly addressed in Open Canada: A Global Positioning Strategy for a Networked Age report commissioned by the Canadian International Council, a privately funded think-tank.

It makes many specific recommendations on everything from foreign aid, to clean energy, to bureaucratic reorganization, to trade with Asia to security and defence, but its most valuable contribution may be in clearly defining Canada's national interests.

In the opinion of the panel that helped former Globe and Mail editor Edward Greenspon prepare the report, they are prosperity, peace and cohesion. The panel put economic well-being at the heart of its plan to make Canada a more influential global player.

Indeed, Canada's prudent economic management and thoughtful financial regulation before, during and after the recession brought the world to Canada's door seeking guidance. And Prime Minister Stephen Harper's view that the time has come to rein in deficits was embraced by leaders at the summits. Success at home earned respect abroad.

However, to ensure Canada's high profile during the monetary mael strom is more than 15 minutes of fame, it needs a strategy to advance those national interests and significant policy initiatives to make it happen.

While acknowledging Canada's vital trade relationship with the United States, the report exhorts Canada to make more friends around the world, especially in Asia. Vancouver, with its large Chinese and Indian populations, plays an important role in the national strategy as the primary Asia-Pacific business hub. The report urges Ottawa to provide tax and tariff incentives to encourage Asian companies to locate their North American headquarters here, and for European and Latin American companies to manage Asian o-perations from B.C., making Vancouver North America's Asian capital.

But to be seen as a trade leader, Canada can't champion liberalized markets while maintaining supply-management regimes on poultry and dairy products and imposing tariffs on a list of goods that exceeds 2,000 pages. It must abandon protectionist policies.

Canada must become a more innovative nation to be a more prosperous one, but it is a laggard, ranking 14th of 17 countries, according to the Conference Board of Canada. The panel recommends setting a research and development target of three per cent of gross domestic product through increases in spending and tax incentives. The goal is not only to give Cana dians greater opportunities to excel, but to make Canada an attractive destination for the world's top researchers.

The report offers smart thinking on security, such as expansion of the North American Aerospace Defence Command, especially maritime responsibilities to monitor activity in Arctic waters, and establishing joint U.S.-Canadian high-tech border controls.

It also takes on the perennial issue of national unity, or what it calls cohesion, exhorting all parties to speak with one national voice, while respecting the provinces' constitutional rights.

The vision of Canada the report puts forward is of an open nation fully engaged with the world, one that pro motes freedom and democracy, that dispenses aid compassionately and judiciously, that works together with its allies to keep the world safe, that provides a high standard of living for its population, and that is seen as a leader in global affairs.

Open Canada may not turn out to be the final road map to the future, but it's a valuable manual to guide discussion about what Canadians want our country to be.