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

Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) Bernard Valcourt (Madawaska-Resitgouche, NB) addressed participants at Forum Africa 2011 in Montreal to highlight the importance of developing strong commercial relations between Canada and African countries, as well as within La Francophonie. Valcourt addressed the numerous participants in Forum Africa 2011, including company presidents, high-level African … Read more

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nosehill, AB) participated in the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, in Valparaíso, Chile, on September 3 and 4, 2011. The Charter seeks to strengthen and sustain democratic institutions in the Americas. It was adopted on September 11, 2001, … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) and Economic Development Minister Denis Lebel (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean, QC) announced the appointment of Mark Allen as Canada’s next permanent representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) announced that the government of Canada is now seeking nominations of individuals to sit on a council to support the National Holocaust Monument, which will be built in the National Capital Region. Applications for a position on the council will be accepted between September 1 and 21, … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador Peter Penashue (Labrador, NL) toured a seal-pelt tannery and met with sealing industry workers in the St. John’s area. As part of the effort to reverse the August 2010 European Union ban on trade in seal products, Canada has asked the … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement condemning the bomb attack against the United Nations offices in Abuja, Nigeria. Baird offered his sympathies to the victims of the attack and their families. The two Canadians working at the facility are reported to be safe. The full release is available online. Call … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement welcoming an independent, international investigation into human rights violations in Syria. Baird said Canada welcomes this decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council and that Canada will continue to take a leadership role in pressuring the Assad regime to stop the assault on … Read more

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nosehill, AB) concluded her tour of Canada's Western provinces in Vancouver, BC, with meetings with consular stakeholders. Ablonczy said this tour has been a valuable opportunity to work with Canada's partners and to exchange perspectives related to the country's engagement in the Americas. … Read more

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nose Hill, AB) met with consular stakeholders in Edmonton, including representatives from the Alberta Motor Association, the Regent Energy Group, the University of Alberta International Education Abroad Program, the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association and the Canadian Council on Africa. Ablonczy encouraged companies … Read more

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nosehill, AB) met in Calgary with business and academic stakeholders in the Americas. During the one-day visit, Ablonczy met with representatives of Nexen Inc. and Talisman Energy Inc., which are both Canadian companies with oil and gas operations in Latin America. She also … Read more