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

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio de Aguiar Patriota  issued a joint statement regarding the second meeting of the Brazil-Canada Strategic Partnership Dialogue, in Rio de Janeiro. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) wrapped up a … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) marked the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by reiterating the importance of the region to Canada. Fast also announced that he will participate in the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Brunei … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) highlighted Canada’s strengths as an investment destination at the official opening of NAMCO BANDAI Studios Inc.’s online social game development studio in Vancouver. Fast joined Teresa Wat, British Columbia’s Minister of International Trade, in congratulating Shukuo Ishikawa, president, NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc., Hajime Nakatani, president, NAMCO BANDAI Studios … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) announced that Canada will provide support to Paraguay in the area of the rule of law. Baird made the announcement during a bilateral visit to Asunción. Through the Global Peace and Security Fund, Canada will support an initiative that will engage local political entities and civic groups … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) and International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L'Erable, Que.) said that Canada welcomes the completion of the first round of presidential elections that took place in Mali on July 28, 2013. “Mali has made much progress since the March 2012 coup d’état and … Read more

During his bilateral meeting with his Colombian counterpart, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) announced two new initiatives to help Colombia and other countries in the region respond to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist attack. Canada is contributing detection and protective equipment to the Colombian National Police’s chemical, … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) issued condolences following the bus accident in Italy. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.), Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women Susan Truppe (London North Centre, Ont.) and Conservative MP Ed Holder (London West, Ont.) meet with workers … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) said that Canada is deeply concerned and appalled by reports of deadly clashes in Nasr City. “Canada urges all parties in Egypt to remain calm, avoid violence and engage in meaningful political dialogue," said Baird. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874. International Trade Minister Ed … Read more

Andrew Bennett, Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom, said Canada strongly condemns the continued imprisonment of Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Kazamani Boroujerdi, a leading Shiite Muslim cleric, by the Iranian regime. Ayatollah Boroujerdi has reportedly been subjected to torture during his seven-year imprisonment in the Evin Prison in Tehran. He has been a critic of the Iranian regime’s … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.) offered condolences to the Chinese people after the earthquake. The full statement is available online. Call 613-995-1874.