International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) participated in a round table with members of the Canada China Business Council in Toronto. Fast underscored the Harper government’s commitment to boosting trade and investment with China to benefit Canadians and discussed how Canada and China are currently negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement that … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement on the expanded sanctions against North Korea. Baird said he is pleased with the tough new sanctions, adding that they are the latest in a series of steps the government has taken in recent years to forcefully declare Canada’s opposition to aggressive actions by … Read more
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada announced the Governor in Council enacted the Special Economic Measures (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act. These regulations prohibit financial institutions from providing or acquiring financial services to, from of for the benefit of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement marking the inaugural National Minorities Day in Pakistan. Baird said Canada welcomes efforts by Pakistan to protect human rights, including religious freedoms, and to advocate interfaith tolerance and understanding. Canada encourages Pakistan to continue promoting the rights of all minorities, including for individuals belonging … Read more
Canada has opened a consulate in Tbilisi, Georgia headed by Honorary Consul Clifford Isaak. Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy (Calgary-Nosehill, AB) said the Government of Canada is happy to expand its consular services abroad and assist Canadian companies seeking trade opportunities. The new consulate will offer consular services … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) has moved to expel remaining Libyan deplomats from Canada. Baird said Canada declares all remaining diplomats at the Libyan embassy in Ottawa personae non gratae, This is the latest step Canada has taken to isolate and delegitimize the Qadhafi regime. These people now have five business days … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) made a statement in response to the arrest in Ukraine of Yulia Tymoshenko, former prime minister and currently a member of the opposition. Baird said Canada is concerned by the apparently politically motivated persecution and encouraged the Ukrainian government to strengthen judiciary independence and not undermine the rule … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) issued a statement condemning yesterday’s bombing outside a Syrian Catholic church in Kirkuk, Iraq. Baird said attacks aimed at intimidating specific religious groups are utterly unacceptable. Baird met with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook and discussed issues related to religious freedom and tolerance. … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC) and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose (Edmonton-Spruce Grove, AB) visited Optilume Engineered Light Corporation, an Edmonton company, to discuss the ways international trade helps small businesses create jobs and economic growth. Optilume Engineered Light Corporation was one of 19 Canadian companies that participated in the targeted trade missions … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, ON) said he welcomes the dialogue between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan that took place in New Delhi on July 27, 2011. Baird said he regards the decisions to increase trade and the movement of people across the Line of Control in Kashmir and to develop … Read more
