Canada & The World

1. Statement by Minister Hussen on Italian Heritage Month

   June marks Italian Heritage Month in Canada

2. Statement by Minister Hussen on Portuguese Heritage Month

   Today marks the beginning of Portuguese Heritage Month in Canada

3. Statement by Minister Hussen on Filipino Heritage Month

   Minister Hussen invites everyone to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month throughout June

4. Canada announces sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against seven individuals and one entity in Moldova as part of the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations.

5. Statement in response to Federal Court of Appeal decision in Bring Our Loved Ones Home litigation

   Today, the Federal Court of Appeal rendered a decision following the appeal by the Government of Canada in the Bring Our Loved Ones Home litigation.

6. Minister Joly to attend NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Oslo

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be in Oslo, Norway, from May 31 to June 1, 2023, to attend an informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Minister Joly will also participate in a ceremony to honour the victims of the July 22, 2011, acts of terrorism on Utøya Island, Norway.

7. Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda

   The Equal Rights Coalition expresses grave concerns about the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 which further criminalizes LGBTI persons in Uganda. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 criminalizes same sex-relations with even broader and more draconian punishments for LGBTI conduct, including life imprisonment or death. In addition to criminalizing the “promotion of sexuality,” the law threatens LGBTI organizations engaged in human rights advocacy or engaged in health assistance programs, and criminalizes support to LGBTI organizations and those working on the human rights of LGBTI persons.

8. Minister Sajjan reaffirms Canada’s engagement in Africa and steadfast support to partners on the continent as he concludes trip to Ethiopia, Egypt and Chad

   The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, concluded visits to Ethiopia, Egypt and Chad. Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, Ontario, accompanied the Minister on this visit. While there, they had discussions on the impacts of climate change, conflicts and regional instability on food security and saw the positive impact that women have on food systems. Minister Sajjan also announced $140 million in funding for development projects in Africa and $39.8 million in humanitarian assistance funding for Sahel and Lake Chad Basin countries.

9. Backgrounder: Minister Sajjan concludes trip to Ethiopia and Egypt and announces funding for development projects

   In Ethiopia, Minister Sajjan and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, signed a letter of intent to establish a Canada-African Union Commission Development Policy Dialogue (DPD) on issues of mutual interest, including mobilizing the private sector for sustainable development and improving national and continental preparedness and response to extreme weather events and natural disasters. The DPD will complement the Canada-African Union Commission High-Level Dialogue, which was launched in October 2022 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the Canada-African Union Commission Trade Policy Dialogue, which was launched in May 2023 by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. The DPD will provide a distinct mechanism to share perspectives and increase alignment on development-related regional and continental challenges.

10. Backgrounder: Minister Sajjan concludes trip to Chad and announces development and humanitarian assistance funding

    While in Chad, Minister Sajjan, accompanied by Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, met with Sudanese and Cameroonian refugees living in N’Djamena and learned about their situation and the assistance they are receiving. They also visited a local hospital supported by Gavi and the Global Fund—multilateral health funds supported by Canada—where they learned about current and future challenges faced by Chad in delivering essential health services. Minister Sajjan and MP Kayabaga also met with humanitarian, development and like-minded partners to discuss the current needs and challenges in Chad.

11. Statement on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act

    “Canada is deeply concerned by Uganda’s assent of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act and firmly condemns its legislation. This Act is a blatant violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans. It exposes them to systematic persecution, oppression, violence, including the possibility of life terms in prison and the death penalty.

12. Statement to mark International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:

13. Global Affairs Canada engages international partners on Myanmar sanctions efforts

    On May 24, the Sanctions Coordinators for Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the services in charge of sanctions policy and implementation of the European Commission and the European External Action Service met to continue to assess and align ongoing efforts related to sanctions on Myanmar.

14. Minister Hussen to attend presidential inauguration in Nigeria

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, will visit Nigeria from May 27 to 29, 2023.

15. Canada announces $84.6-million contribution to fight global malnutrition and prevent acute malnutrition

    Climate change and the rising cost of food have contributed to a rise in malnutrition rates, with the heaviest burden falling on the most vulnerable, especially women and girls.

16. Canada announces financial contribution for projects to improve nutrition in Africa and Asia

    Canada has announced $84.6 million in funding for nutrition-specific programming to support the implementation of four new projects by Canadian partners. These projects will contribute to Canada’s 10-year Global Health and Rights commitment, including the priority focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and to Canada’s 2020 commitment to increase funding for gender-informed nutrition interventions.

17. INRA Statement on Small Modular Reactors and International Collaboration 

    Following its 51st meeting, members of the International Nuclear Regulators’ Association released a statement in support of a collaborative approach for the regulatory assessment of small modular reactor technologies.

18. Canada and Saudi Arabia to appoint new ambassadors

    Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement: “In light of what has been discussed between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Bangkok on November 18, 2022, and the desire for both sides to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and common interests; it has been decided to restore the level of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia to its previous level.

19. Biographical note

    Jean-Philippe Linteau (BSc [Agriculture], McGill University, 1994; MSc [Geography], University of Toronto, 1996) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997. At Headquarters, he was director of the Clean Technology, Infrastructure and Life Sciences Division from 2016 to 2019. Abroad, he served as trade commissioner in Seoul from 1998 to 2001 and in Kuala Lumpur from 2001 to 2004, as political officer in Colombo from 2005 to 2007, as international business development program manager in Washington, D.C., from 2007 to 2011 and as investment counsellor and then senior trade commissioner in New York City from 2011 to 2016. He was most recently consul general in Dubai from 2019 to 2023.

20. Canada announces $58.1 million in new humanitarian assistance funding for Horn of Africa

    The Horn of Africa is facing a climate emergency that shows no sign of ending. Having had below-average rainfall for more than 2 years, the region is experiencing its worst drought ever recorded. Even in areas where rain has recently fallen, the ground is too dry to absorb it, leading to devastating flash floods.

21. Minister of Foreign Affairs in Conversation at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

    May 22, 2023 - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will join the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for a conversation on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

22. Statement by Minister Hussen on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

    Today, on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we celebrate the rich diversity of our communities.

23. Statement by Global Affairs Canada on Columbia River Treaty Negotiations

    Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement: “On May 16 and 17, 2023, Canada and the United States met in Kelowna, British Columbia, for the 17th round of negotiations to renew the Columbia River Treaty. Ratified by both countries in 1964, the Treaty provides for flood control measures and hydropower production. Negotiations to modernize the Treaty began in May 2018.

24. Ministers Champagne and Ng meet with North American counterparts, industry and universities on building continental semiconductor supply chain

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, concluded a two-day visit to Washington, D.C., where they took part in the first-ever North American semiconductor conference.

25. Minister Sajjan to travel to Ethiopia, Egypt and Chad

    The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today announced that he will visit Ethiopia, Egypt and Chad from May 21 to 27, 2023. He will be accompanied by Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West.

26. Canada joins Register of Damage for Ukraine

    Canada is working alongside its international partners to hold Russia to account as it continues to attack Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the rules-based international order.

27. Statement marking International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

    “Never before has the global landscape for 2SLGBTQI+ persons been so fluid and rapidly changing. Several countries have made meaningful progress in decriminalizing same-sex relations, prohibiting discrimination, penalizing hate crimes and recognizing transgender persons. However, legislative and policy setbacks have occurred in all regions of the world, and hatred and violence against 2SLGBTQI+ people occur far too often. Worldwide, 11 countries have jurisdictions in which the death penalty can be imposed for same-sex relations, and almost 70 countries criminalize people for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

28. Canada joins Apostille Convention to facilitate use of public documents abroad

    “Canada has formally joined the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, otherwise known as the Apostille Convention.

29. Minister Joly to advance economic security cooperation in the Republic of Korea and deepen ties with the Philippines

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be travelling to Seoul, Republic of Korea (Korea), from May 15 to 17, 2023 to jointly advance both countries’ economic prosperity and security cooperation.

30. Arctic Council Statement on the Occasion of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Arctic Council

    In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Arctic Council, and in recognition of the objectives and commitments expressed in the Declaration on the Establishment of the Arctic Council and subsequent Ministerial Declarations, the Arctic States joined by the Permanent Participants met and issued the following statement.

31. Minister Joly to welcome Kenyan counterpart to Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome Alfred Mutua, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, to Canada from May 11 to 16, 2023.

32. Canada’s statement on escalation between Israel and Gaza

    “Canada is deeply concerned by the escalation between Israel and Gaza and stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity and without fear.

33. Minister Joly welcomes Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that on May 12, 2023, she will welcome Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Canada for his first official visit here.

34. Minister Joly announces Canada’s United Nations Human Rights Council candidacy

    Human rights are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. But human rights are currently under attack, and the multilateral system that underpins these rights is under threat like never before. This is evident in challenges such as Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, rising racism, antisemitism, islamophobia and discrimination and an intensifying backlash against the most basic rights of women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

35. Minister Joly to make an important announcement regarding Canada’s leadership on human rights

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a media availability during which she will make an important announcement on Canada’s leadership on human rights. Minister Joly will be joined by the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth.

36. Canada declares Zhao Wei persona non grata

    Canada has decided to declare persona non grata Mr. Zhao Wei.

37. Minister Joly concludes visit to Kenya

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday concluded a productive visit to Kenya, where she met with Canadians who have been recently evacuated from Sudan and with Kenyan and international partners to discuss shared priorities, including the ongoing conflict in Sudan as well as regional peace and security.

38. Canada provides humanitarian assistance funding for Sudan and neighbouring countries

    Canada is deeply concerned by the conflict in Sudan and its humanitarian impact on the country’s population and those living in neighbouring countries already struggling as a result of poverty, violence, food insecurity and climate change. Canada calls for all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and facilitate humanitarian access to allow the provision of critical assistance throughout the country.

39. Media Freedom Coalition Statement: World Press Freedom Day 

    On this World Press Freedom Day, we, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition, pay tribute to journalists and media workers all over the world and the work they do in informing the public, exposing wrongdoing, revealing untold stories, and holding the powerful to account.

40. Canada sanctions Iranian regime for continued human rights violations

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 11th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime since October 2022, and builds on Canada’s efforts to align with recent designations announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

41. Minister Sajjan to hold press conference to announce humanitarian assistance funding for Sudan and neighboring countries  

    May 2, 2023 - The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada will hold a press conference to announce humanitarian assistance funding for Sudan, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Minister Sajjan will be joined by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, and by Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West.

42. Scott Shortliffe to the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications

    If it receives Royal Assent, Bill C-18, the Online News Act, would establish a framework for digital platforms and news businesses to enter into agreements regarding news content that is made available online.

43. Canada and United Kingdom announce recipient of the 2023 Media Freedom Award

    The 2023 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award has been presented today to independent Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr for extraordinary commitment to high-quality independent journalism. The newspaper continued to report, amidst a takedown of their website and legal threats to its reporters. This award signals Canada and the UK’s enduring commitment to supporting free and independent journalism.

44. Government of Canada officials to provide technical briefing on the situation in Sudan

    Officials from Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency will offer a technical briefing on the situation in Sudan following recent developments.

45. Canada announces expansion and renewal of Women’s Voice and Leadership program

    The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today announced $195 million over 5 years and $43.3M annually thereafter, on an ongoing basis to provide sustainable, flexible and responsive programming to women’s rights organizations across the globe.

46. Government of Canada officials to provide technical briefing on the situation in Sudan

    Officials from Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency will offer a technical briefing on the situation in Sudan following recent developments.

47. Government of Canada officials to provide technical briefing on the situation in Sudan

    Officials from Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency will offer a technical briefing on the situation in Sudan.

48. Government of Canada helping Canadians in Sudan

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, provided an update on assistance to Canadians in Sudan, including departures in close coordination with partners and allies.

49. Canada concerned with latest developments in Lachin Corridor

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the latest developments in the Lachin corridor

50. Canada temporarily suspends operations in Sudan

    After consulting with Canada’s Ambassador to Sudan, the decision has been made to temporarily suspend our operations in Sudan. Canadian diplomats will temporarily work from a safe location outside of the country. They will continue working with the Government of Sudan, neighbouring countries, as well as with like-minded governments and the international community to coordinate the response to this crisis, and to support Canadians still in country.