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

International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) met with representatives of Canadian businesses to consider opportunities to form partnerships designed to reduce poverty in developing countries. Participants discussed a wide range of ways to involve the private sector in development. These included guarantees to promote investment, subsidized loans given with more favourable terms, … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement regarding the situation in Venezuela. “Canada reinforces the appeal for calm from both the government and political leaders. While we are heartened by efforts to avoid confrontations during today’s rallies, we urge all parties and their supporters to refrain from further violence,” said Baird. The … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada is appalled by the renewed violence in Ukraine. “Canada calls on all sides to show restraint and to cease all acts of violence immediately. No act of violence or repression today will go unnoticed by the Government of Canada, and we will work with our … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada welcomes the release in Ukraine of opposition voices who were detained during almost three months of unrest.”Canada and the international community expect the Ukrainian authorities to respect and protect the rights of all Ukrainians, including the right to express their opinions freely,” added Baird. The full … Read more

Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom Andrew Bennett issued a statement condemning  attacks in Nigeria. “Canada condemns the awful attacks in northeastern Nigeria that have reportedly killed 39 people, including three children, wounded many others, and destroyed a mosque and more than 1,000 homes,” said Bennett. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. International Trade Minister … Read more

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Lynne Yelich (Blackstrap, Sask.) demonstrated Canada’s strong commitment to supporting Iraq’s democratic development by supporting an unprecedented four-day visit to the cities of Basra, Baghdad and Erbil. While in Iraq, Yelich also opened a Canadian Trade Representation Office in Erbil. This was Canada’s first trade … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) will travel to the United Kingdom from Feb. 12 to 14, 2014, where he will attend the London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade at the invitation of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. While in London, Baird will hold bilateral talks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague … Read more

International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) announced an additional contribution from Canada to address the dire humanitarian needs of the people affected by conflict and food insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR). The government is providing financial support to UNICEF to address the water and sanitation, health and … Read more

On Feb. 7, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) visited the headquarters of Google and Twitter in Silicon Valley, California, where he discussed the two companies’ work in Canada and explored how the Internet and social media are shaping government and foreign policy. While in the region, Baird also met with senior politicians and academic experts to discuss Canada-U.S. … Read more

Invited to speak at Partnerships for Development, an event organized for International Development Week at McGill University, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development Lois Brown (Newmarket-Aurora, Ont.) congratulated the Canadian Executive Service Organization and the Micronutrient Initiative for their recent signing of a promising partnership agreement. Call 819-953-6238. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) visited the headquarters of … Read more