Press Release Department: Federal - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) called on Canadian businesses to seize the opportunities that more trade and investment with emerging markets in Africa offers. In his address to Canadian and African businesses, non-governmental organizations and African government representatives during the Canada-Africa Business Summit in Toronto, Fast pointed to the long-standing trade, investment, development, education … Read more

In the lead-up to Ukraine’s parliamentary elections in October, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird detailed support for advancing democracy that will see more than 300 Canadian observers travel to Ukraine to monitor the elections. A bilateral mission to Ukraine will see up to 190 observers for parliamentary elections, 102 observers through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) participated in the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq, hosted by French President François Hollande and Iraqi President Fouad Massoum. The conference, held in Paris, brought together world leaders intent on working together to combat the heinous actions of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the … Read more

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) announced that Canada will host the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on April 24 and 25, 2015, in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The meeting, taking place in the heart of Canada’s North, will bring together ministers of the Arctic states and high-level representatives of the Indigenous Permanent Participant organizations to set the council’s objectives for … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement in response to the release of the second report of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ fact-finding mission in Syria: “This report contains compelling evidence which leaves Canada with no doubt that the Assad regime is responsible for using chlorine as a chemical … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada welcomes the formation of a new government in Iraq under the leadership of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The full statement is available online. 343-203-7700. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of … Read more

International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) issued a statement to mark the International Day of Charity. The full statement is available online. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Erin O’Toole (Durham, Ont.) commended the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) and the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF) for signing a new … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) was in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to meet with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials and discuss their efforts to address the humanitarian and security situation in the region, as well as Canadian assistance. He was joined by an all-party delegation consisting of Paul Dewar (Ottawa … Read more

At an event hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APFC), International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) highlighted the connection between development and trade that leverages benefits in developing countries by fostering sustainable economic growth while providing significant opportunities for the Canadian private sector. The minister announced support to two projects in … Read more

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) will attend the founding meeting of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Sept. 2 and 3, 2014. The creation of the AEC is a priority initiative during Canada’s 2013-2015 Arctic Council chairmanship, which is focused on development for the people of the North. Canada co-chaired the Arctic Council task force that … Read more