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

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and National Defence Minister Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) announced that the Canadian Armed Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), along with civilian political and humanitarian personnel from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD), has begun a phased transition out of Nepal after being deployed there in response … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) announced that Canada and Guinea have signed a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA). The agreement was signed by Philippe Beaulne, Canada’s ambassador to Guinea, and Marc Youmbouno, Guinea’s Minister of Trade, in Conakry, Guinea. The countries will now proceed with their respective ratification processes. The full release is available … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.) issued a statement to mark the 52nd Africa Day. “African countries have made great strides toward building security, democracy and prosperity over the past 52 years. While work remains to be done, Africans can be … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) issued the following statement on the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference: “Canada remains strongly committed to upholding and strengthening all three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). For 45 years, the NPT has formed the bedrock of the international regime to advance nuclear disarmament, ensure non-proliferation … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) issued a statement condemning the treatment of women by Boko Haram. “Canada is outraged at reports from Nigeria regarding the brutal treatment of women and girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram,” said Nicholson. “Mass kidnapping, rape, sexual slavery and forced impregnation of this scale are shocking violations … Read more

On behalf of International Cooperation Minister and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis (Megantic-L’Erable, Que.), Conservative MP Peter Braid (Kitchener-Waterloo , Ont.) announced Canada’s support to the University of Waterloo for an initiative aimed at helping build a stronger insurance and pension industry in Indonesia to stimulate sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty. Canada’s support … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) welcomed the signing of a peace agreement in Mali. “Canada welcomes the signing of a peace agreement in Bamako, Mali, on May 15, 2015, between the Government of Mali and the majority of actors involved in the peace process,” said Nicholson. “This agreement reflects the long, difficult discussions that … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, Sask.) issued the following statement on the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) latest and final decision on the U.S. Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) policy: “For the fourth time, the WTO has ruled against the United States’ COOL policy, reaffirming Canada’s long-standing position that … Read more

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) issued a statement regarding the crisis in Burundi: “We are gravely concerned by the reports of escalating violence in Burundi. Canada calls for calm and asks that all Burundians work together in the interest of peace. Canada commends the ongoing efforts, including those of the leaders of … Read more

International Trade Minister Ed Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) congratulated Canpotex Limited on the signing of a US$44-million contract to supply potash to Bangladesh. Facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the potash will be mined from Canpotex’s members’ mines and will be delivered to Bangladesh in the fall of 2015. The contract includes an option for Canpotex to supply … Read more