Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement regarding the Tunisian elections. Baird said Canada commends the progress Tunisia has made in fulfilling its commitment to holding democratic elections. Baird also said Canada welcomes the opportunity for Tunisians in Canada to cast absentee ballots in these elections, but Canada has expressed a … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement regarding the explosion in Ankara, Turkey. Baird said Canada stands with the people of Turkey and their government as they seek further information. While there are no reports of Canadians injured, Canadian officials in Ottawa and Ankara are monitoring the situation. The full release … Read more
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nose Hill, AB) concluded her visit to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Ablonczy said the visits have strengthened consular relationships by engaging in dialogue with high-level authorities to understand what counterparts in other countries think and why. While in Mexico, Ablonczy met with … Read more
Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) Bernard Valcourt (Madawaska-Resitgouche, NB) concluded a two-day visit to Paris, during which he met with Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie. They discussed Canada’s key objectives relating to La Francophonie, including the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance in the Francophonie … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) met with workers from Cavendish Farms and toured the company’s potato processing plant in New Annan, PE. Fast also held a round table with members of P.E.I.’s business community, including potato growers, producers and exporters, during which the discussion focused on the economy, current trade negotiations with the … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) issued a statement on U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent legislative proposals, the American Jobs Act. Fast said he has instructed Canadian officials to initiate the consultation process that was established as part of the 2010 Canada-U.S. Agreement on Government Procurement. Fast said the government will raise concerns with … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement regarding Canada's involvement in Libya. Canada has re-established its diplomatic presence in Tripoli and is re-opening its embassy in a temporary location. Canada has also secured from the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions committee an exemption to unfreeze $2.2 billion worth of Libyan assets … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) issued a statement after his meeting with the National Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Nelson, BC, where he spoke of the many benefits a Canada-EU free trade agreement will bring to hardworking Canadians in local communities from coast to coast to coast. Fast … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement following the bombings in Pakistan. Baird said the deadly suicide bombings in Quetta, Pakistan, are a reminder that the terrorist threat posed by groups such as the Taliban is still very real. The attack was against Pakistan's Frontier Corps, one of the key institutions … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement condemning the terrorist bombing in New Delhi. Baird said on behalf of all Canadians, he offers deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed by this cowardly act of violence, and he wishes a quick recovery to the injured. Baird also … Read more
