Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) congratulated the people of Libya on holding successful, historic, democratic elections for a General National Congress, the first free elections in Libya after more than four decades of authoritarian rule. Baird said Canada welcomes the release of these preliminary election results, and Canadians look forward to the … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) offered condolences after the deadly explosion in Bulgaria. Baird said that he is deeply saddened to learn of the deadly terrorist attack on a bus carrying tourists, some of them from Israel, in the Bulgarian city of Burgas. Baird added that Canada condemns such heinous acts without … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) welcomed a favourable ruling in the trade dispute with the United States over the timber-pricing system for British Columbia’s Interior. A tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration, convened under the Softwood Lumber Agreement, ruled that Canada had not circumvented the agreement, as alleged by the United … Read more
Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) Bernard Valcourt (Madawaska-Resitgouche, NB) issued a statement after the 19th African Union (AU) Summit, which took place from July 9 to 16, 2012, in Addis Ababa. Valcourt said he congratulate South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who was elected head of the African Union Commission. Dlamini-Zuma is … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) condemned targeted attack on regional head of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan. Baird said Canada is deeply concerned by the recent upsurge in violence against women in Afghanistan. Baird added that Canada was particularly shocked to learn of the public execution outside Kabul of a young woman for … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) announced Canada’s plans to open an embassy in Burma. The announcement was made during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and Post Ministerial Conference, where Baird met with his ASEAN counterparts, including Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin. The full release is available online. … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) and International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino (Vaughan, ON) said one year ago, Canada welcomed the formal creation of South Sudan as an independent state—a momentous event for the people of South Sudan. The ministers added that Canada celebrate the positive relationship between the two countries and the … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) announced that he will travel to China and Southeast Asia from July 7 to 22, 2012, to take part in a wide range of meetings with government officials and businesses. Baird will begin his trip in Hong Kong, where he will meet with government officials and business … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement after emerging from the third Friends of the Syrian People meeting. Baird said Canada is horrified by Assad’s lack of respect for human life and is responding with additional measures to further isolate and increase pressure on the regime. Baird added that Canada is … Read more
Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) Bernard Valcourt (Madawaska-Resitgouche, NB) took part this week in the second Rencontre internationale de la Francophonie économique [international meeting of La Francophonie on the economy] (RIFÉ) and the first French Language World Forum, in the city of Québec. Valcourt said the meeting is unique not only because it … Read more
