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

International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) highlighted Canada’s leadership role in improving the health of women and children in developing countries. The minister delivered his remarks on Parliament Hill, while attending “Live Below the Line,” an event co-hosted by the Micronutrient Initiative, RESULTS Canada, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) wrapped up a visit to Latvia, where he continued to speak out against Russia’s increasing use of provocation and aggression toward Ukraine and underscored the importance of strong coordination among allies. “A clear and consistent message rang out in my meetings with key allies across Central and Eastern … Read more

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, Alta.) issued the following statement: Canada deplores the atrocious targeted attacks against civilians committed in Bor and Bentiu, South Sudan, by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition. Early reports indicate that hundreds of people, including women and children, were killed in … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) announced the appointment of Martin Zablocki as the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Mr. Zablocki was selected after an open public competition. The appointment is for five years. The full release is available online. Call 613-992-7332. International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) announced … Read more

On April 17, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Nabil Fahmy and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) held a meeting in Cairo, Egypt. The ministers exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between Canada and Egypt, bilateral matters including important consular issues, and a wide range of pressing regional challenges. The full … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) offered condolences after the ferry capsizes in South Korea. The full statement is available online. Call 343-203-7700. International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) attended the first High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation in Mexico City. The meeting brought together … Read more

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) announced that Canada has taken a principled stand against Russia by not attending Arctic Council working-group-level meetings in Moscow this week. These actions build upon the tough stance, including imposing sanctions, Canada has already taken against Russia for its illegal occupation of Ukraine. Canada continues to work with allies and like-minded … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) announced that Canada will suspend its voluntary contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat and reallocate the funds for the next two years. The full release is available online. Call 343-203-7700. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement following a deadly bombing on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria’s … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement on the ongoing situation in Ukraine: “Our Government has been clear that we cannot sit by while Russia illegally occupies Ukraine, violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, we are imposing sanctions on two additional individuals and on a Crimean oil and gas company. We … Read more

Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, concluded a successful visit to Pakistan where he announced two projects to be supported by the Religious Freedom Fund. “Pakistan is a country with a multi-faith and multicultural character, which is similar in ways to Canada’s,” said Bennett. “We remain very concerned by repeated incidents of religiously motivated violence in … Read more