Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) announced that effective July 2, 2014, Vincent Rigby will become the new chair of the Senior Arctic Officials (SAOs). Rigby, assistant deputy minister of Strategic Policy at Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, will replace Patrick Borbey, who has held the position since March 6, 2013. Last week, Prime Minister Stephen … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada strongly condemns the attack on a Ukrainian military helicopter near Sloviansk, in eastern Ukraine, which killed all on board. This act is particularly egregious as it comes only a day into the Government of Ukraine’s important ceasefire.” The full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. International … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada congratulates the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [OPCW]-United Nations Joint Mission on having successfully overseen the removal of Syria’s declared chemicals from its territory. Baird’s full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs David Anderson (Cypress Hills-Grasslands, Sask.) said Canada … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) announced the establishment of a new Canadian Trade and Development Facility while attending the Pacific Alliance Dialogue with Observers, held today in Punta Mita, Mexico, as part of the IX Pacific Alliance Summit. The funding initiative will help developing countries negotiate, implement and benefit from trade and investment … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) announced that Bill C-20, the Canada-Honduras Economic Growth and Prosperity Act—an act to implement the Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement and parallel agreements on labour and environmental cooperation—has received royal assent. Key Canadian exports that will benefit from enhanced market access opportunities in Honduras include industrial machinery, pulp and paper, chemicals … Read more
International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) congratulated Windiga Energy Inc., a Canadian independent power producer, on signing a $50-million contract to build a solar power plant in Zina, Burkina Faso. The project will also include a community development segment involving electrification of a number of rural villages in the area. The contract comes as the governments of Canada … Read more
Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, issued a statement saying that Canada calls for grace and human dignity in Iraq. The full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) travelled to Burkina Faso for his first visit as part of a trade mission to Africa—his third since being appointed trade minister—to strengthen Canada’s economic ties … Read more
Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, said Canada condemns the outbreak of communal violence against Muslims, which resulted in the loss of lives and extensive damage to property in the south of Sri Lanka on June 15, 2014. The full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) … Read more
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) congratulated the Afghan people on a successful presidential runoff election. The full release is available online. Call 343-203-7700. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada is deeply concerned by reports that three Israeli teenagers may have been kidnapped in the West Bank, and condemns those aiming … Read more
International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) accompanied by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney (Levis-Bellechasse, Que.), announced financial support for Développement international Desjardins (DID) to promote entrepreneurship in Africa and the Americas. Paradis made this announcement after meeting with DID executives in Lévis, Que. “Long-term development depends on a dynamic private sector that … Read more
