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

The address by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) at the Geneva II talks on Syria is available online. International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) said Canada strongly condemns the indefensible killings of three polio workers in Pakistan. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. Foreign Affairs Minister John … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) will highlight Canada’s free trade leadership and economic success at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to be held from Jan. 22 to 25, 2014, in Davos, Switzerland. Fast’s program includes meetings with his counterparts and with businesses … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in Chicago on Jan, 17, to reaffirm their shared commitment to the Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border Action Plan. The two noted the results achieved during the past two years under the Beyond the Border Action Plan and restated a commitment to … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement on the opening trial at a special tribunal for Lebanon. Baird said “Canada welcomes the opening of the first trial at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This is an important step toward bringing those responsible for the political assassinations of former prime minister Rafik Hariri and others … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement on the conclusion of a constitutional referendum in Egypt. Baird said, “The conclusion of voting in Egypt’s constitutional referendum marks an important step in that country’s road map forward. Canada supports the continued implementation of the transition road map, which includes upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.” The … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) launched a new International Education Strategy designed to maintain and enhance Canada’s global position in higher education. The comprehensive plan sets targets to attract more international researchers and students to Canada, deepen the research links between Canadian and foreign educational institutions and establish a pan-Canadian partnership with provinces and … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said Canada is deeply concerned that Nigeria has adopted a law that further criminalizes homosexuality. This law can be used to impose prison sentences of up to 14 years. Baird’s full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) will travel to Washington, … Read more

International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) issued a statement to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. The full statement is available online. Call 819-953-6238.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued a statement announcing the appointment of Vivian Bercovici as Canada’s new ambassador to the State of Israel. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874.

Minister of State (Multiculturalism) Tim Uppal (Edmonton-Sherwood Park, Alta.) concluded a visit to Pakistan where he met with vaccinators, doctors and UNICEF staff and announced Canada’s latest contribution to the fight to eradicate polio in Pakistan and around the world. While in Pakistan Uppal also met with local Pakistan government officials as well as visited a … Read more