Press Release Department: Federal - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nose Hill, Alta.) said Canada notes the orderly conduct of Venezuela’s presidential election. Ablonczy added that the vote demonstrates the commitment of the Venezuelan people to democracy. The full statement is available online. Call 613-944-2300. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) … Read more

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews (Provencher, Man.) held a round table with representatives of Manitoba’s important agriculture and agri-food sector to highlight the benefits a Canada-EU trade and economic agreement would generate for Canadian workers and their families. Toews said that deeper trade with the EU will bring benefits to various sectors of Manitoba’s economy, … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement on the Assad regime’s attack on civilians across Turkish border. Baird said that Canada strongly condemns this attack by the Assad regime—which killed five people, including a six year old child—across Turkey’s border, and offered condolences to those affected, stating that Canada stands with … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) gave a keynote speech at the Toronto Global Forum in which he lauded the many advantages of trade, while marking the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of negotiations on the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The full release is available online. Call 613-992-7332 . 

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) accompanied by Steve Verheul, Canada’s chief trade negotiator Canada-European Union, met with diplomatic representatives from European Union countries, including Matthias Brinkmann, ambassador and head of Delegation of the European Union to Canada, to discuss negotiations toward a Canada-EU comprehensive economic and trade agreement. Fast stressed that an agreement … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada is deeply troubled by the reported September 25 travel ban of former president Nasheed in Malé, Maldives. Baird added that he directly raised the persecution of 19 other Maldives Democratic Party politicians and party officials directly to president Waheed. The full release is available online. … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement at the Friends of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty ministerial meeting in New York City. Baird said the treaty remains a crucial piece of unfinished business on the nuclear non-proliferation agenda 16 years after it was opened for signature. The full statement is available online. Foreign … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) will travel to New York City as head of the Canadian delegation during high-level portions of this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Baird said that at this year’s General Assembly, [the delegation] will work with partners to advance the values and ideals that make Canada great and … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada is disappointed, but not surprised, by the flawed results of the recent elections in Belarus. Baird added that in the lead-up to and during the vote, the Belarusian authorities limited political, civil and media freedoms, including persecuting opposition leaders, harassing journalists and suppressing peaceful protests … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a joint statement. Baird and Pitsuwan said they affirm the strong and vibrant dialogue relations between ASEAN and Canada during this, the 35th anniversary year since their establishment. The officials added that during this … Read more