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

Delivering the keynote address at the 2014 Joint Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals and the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) reiterated Canada’s commitment to effectively partnering with civil society to increase development results, reduce poverty and strengthen democratic governance. “Canadian civil … Read more

On behalf of International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.), Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Lynne Yelich (Blackstrap, Sask.) announced an additional $5 million for the Renewed Efforts Against Child Hunger and Under-nutrition (REACH) project which will enable REACH to work in more developing countries that have … Read more

Following the Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan, reached by President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said: “Canada welcomes this agreement and calls on military commanders in the field to immediately refrain from any and all armed action. We are concerned, however, that early reports indicate … Read more

Following reports of the killing of more than 300 civilians in northeastern Nigeria by the terrorist group Boko Haram, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement. “Canada condemns the massacre in Gamboru Ngala and offers its condolences to the families and friends of the victims. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Baird … Read more

During his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa meeting in Nigeria, International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) was appointed chair of the Redesigning Development Finance Steering Committee. The committee will promote a more systematic approach to testing and scaling up financial innovations and blending capital from philanthropists, … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) delivered a statement to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) regarding Russia’s accession to the OECD. Canada will not support Russia’s accession to the OECD. Fast said “The Putin regime’s military aggression and illegal occupation of Ukraine threaten the stability and security of Central and Eastern Europe. Those … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement concerning this weekend’s attacks in Kenya: “Canada condemns in the strongest terms this weekend’s attacks in Mombasa and Nairobi, Kenya, which claimed the lives of at least seven people and wounded more than 60 others.” The full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. Foreign Affairs … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) met with his Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Advisory Board to develop next steps in a partnership that is focused on supporting Canadian workers and businesses as they continue to find success in new markets. Fast encouraged SMEs to take advantage of the recently concluded free trade agreement with South … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement on the mass kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls. Baird said “Canada condemns in the strongest terms the kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls, along with other terrorist acts committed against unarmed civilians, by Boko Haram. These acts are absolutely repugnant and will never be tolerated.” The full … Read more

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, Alta.) said Canada welcomes the formation of new Government in Madagascar. The full statement is available online. Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, issued the following statement:“I was sincerely saddened to learn of the destruction of the Sanjiang Church by the Yongjia … Read more