Canada & The World

1. Statement by Minister St-Onge on next steps for the Online News Act

   Thanks to the Online News Act, Canada’s news organizations are expected to see substantial financial support

2. Minister Joly to speak with media following her recent participation at NATO

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a virtual press conference to discuss her recent trip to Brussels to attend the NATO meeting.

3. G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza

   We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, welcome the release of some of the hostages seized on October 7, 2023, by Hamas and other terrorist organizations and the recent pause in hostilities that has allowed a surge in humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We, as the G7, urge the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally. We call for the facilitated departure of all foreign nationals. We emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of the October 7 attacks.

4. Supporting efforts for sustainable peace and security in Africa

   On November 27 and 28, 2023, Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant represented Canada at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, where he reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to collaborative approaches to addressing security challenges.

5. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant concludes participation in Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa

   The Honourable Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded his visit to Senegal, where he led Canada’s delegation at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa on November 27 and 28, 2023.

6. Canada allocates additional funding for partners responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and neighbouring areas

   Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is allocating the remaining $16.2 million in funding, from the already announced $60 million, for humanitarian assistance to address needs stemming from the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and neighbouring areas. This funding supports United Nations and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement appeals and will help Canada’s partners provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services, relief items and other life-saving assistance. The funds are being allocated as follows:

7. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to Africa to advance peace and security efforts

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will represent Canada at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, from November 27 and 28, 2023.

8. Minister Joly to travel to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be travelling to Brussels, Belgium from November 27 to 29 to attend a meeting of the NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers. In Brussels, Minister Joly will meet with her counterparts from NATO countries to discuss shared priorities and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to addressing key global security challenges.

9. Statement on 15th anniversary of terrorist attacks in Mumbai

   “Today, we sadly recall the violent terrorist attacks that unfolded over four tragic days in November 2008 in several locations across Mumbai. Hundreds of innocent people lost their lives and many more were injured. Two Canadians were killed during the attack..."

10. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

    “Today, as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence international campaign begins, we are reaffirming Canada’s unwavering commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls..."

11. Canada welcomes CUSMA dispute settlement panel findings on dairy tariff rate quotas

    “Canada is very pleased with the dispute settlement panel’s findings, with all outcomes clearly in favour of Canada. This is good news for Canada's dairy industry and our system of supply management...”

12. Government of Canada officials to provide background briefing on the CUSMA dairy decision

    Officials from Global Affairs Canada will offer a background briefing following the release of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) dairy tariff rate quotas Panel decision.

13. G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Launch Using Ballistic Missile Technology by North Korea

    “We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s launch using ballistic missile technology conducted on November 21, 2023."

14. Statement on increase in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in West Bank

    “Canada strongly condemns the extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and is also gravely concerned by reports of Palestinian communities being forcibly removed from their lands in the West Bank.

15. Statement following the Kimberley Process Plenary on conflict diamonds

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “On the Kimberley Process’s twentieth anniversary year, Canada, a founding member of the Kimberley Process, remains committed to this forum as a means of breaking the link between conflict and diamonds.”

16. Joint Statement by Foreign Affairs Ministers of Mongolia and Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and, Her Excellency Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, today issued the following joint statement: “Today, Canada and Mongolia reaffirm their strong bilateral relations, as Minister Battsetseg pays an official visit to Canada at the invitation of Minister Joly. This is the first visit by a Mongolian Foreign Minister to Canada in 25 years.

17. Minister Joly speaks with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, spoke on Friday November 17 to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict.

18. Minister Joly to welcome Mongolian counterpart to Ottawa

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome Battsetseg Batmunkh, Mongolia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Ottawa on November 20, 2023.

19. Minister Ng advances cooperation on trade, investment and supply-chain resilience in the Asia-Pacific Region

    While at APEC, Minister Ng highlighted Canada’s commitment to deepen its engagement across the Indo-Pacific by continuing to work closely with APEC economies to ensure strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth that creates good jobs and opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Pacific...

20. Joint Statement by Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands welcoming the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for Syria to immediately cease torture and other ill-treatment

    “Since at least 2011, countless victims in Syria have been tortured, murdered, sexually assaulted, and forcibly disappeared. Twelve years on, these heinous human rights violations persist. Today, the International Court of Justice recognized the urgency of the situation and the irreparable harm caused by Syria’s recurring use of torture and other ill-treatment against its people..."

21. Joint Statement by Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on joint declaration of intervention in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice

    “In these proceedings, The Gambia alleges violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention). It argues that Myanmar’s security forces perpetrate widespread and systemic “clearance operations” against the Rohingya, and that “genocidal acts committed during these operations were intended to destroy the Rohingya as a group..."

22. Canada appoints new ambassador to Russia

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of Sarah Taylor as Ambassador of Canada to the Russian Federation. She replaces Alison LeClaire.

23. Biographical notes

    Sarah Taylor (BA Hon [Anthropology], University of Toronto, 1982; MPhil [Archaeology], University of Cambridge, 1984; PhD [Archaeology], University of Cambridge, 1990) joined External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1990.

24. Minister Ng to travel to San Francisco to attend annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting

    This meeting, hosted by the United States, will provide an opportunity for Canada to further its international trade and investment priorities, including...

25. Minister Joly to attend the APEC Annual Ministerial Meeting

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that she will travel to San Francisco, California, on November 13-17, 2023, to participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Annual Ministerial Meeting hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

26. Minister Joly announces additional sanctions in response to Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 9 individuals and 6 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

27. Canada allocates funding for partners responding to humanitarian needs in Gaza, West Bank and neighbouring areas

    The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, participated today in the International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza held on the sidelines of the 2023 Paris Peace Forum. While there, Minister Hussen announced that Canada is allocating $20 million in funding, from the already announced $60 million, for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs in Gaza, the West Bank and neighbouring areas.

28. Minister Joly to speak with media following the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a virtual press conference to discuss her recent trip to Japan to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

29. Statement on Russia’s withdrawal from Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

    “Canada stands with its NATO Allies in condemning Russia’s withdrawal, effective today, from the landmark Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe [CFE Treaty].”

30. Minister Joly to travel to Japan to attend G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

    Minister Joly will take part in sessions with her G7 counterparts to discuss the unprecedented and rapidly evolving conflict between Israel and Hamas, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including foreign interference.

31. Minister Hussen announces funding for Canadian Foodgrains Bank

    Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced $35.5 million in funding over the next 3 years to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support its project Nature-Positive Food Systems for Climate Change Adaptation.

32. Address by Minister Joly on Canadian Diplomacy Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty

    Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

33. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to attend 44th session of Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Yaoundé, Cameroon, to participate in the 44th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie on November 4 and 5, 2023.

34. Statement on Russia’s decision to revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

    Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement: “Canada is deeply disappointed with the Russian Federation’s decision to revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

35. Signing ceremony for a modernized Canada–Switzerland audiovisual coproduction treaty

    The Government of Canada and the Swiss Federal Council will hold a signing ceremony for a new audiovisual treaty between the two countries

36. Minister Hussen to make an announcement to address global food insecurity

    The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, will hold a press conference to announce new funding to support global food security while working to address the impacts of climate change. The Minister will be joined by members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank partner organisations.

37. Minister Joly to make a speech on Canadian diplomacy amidst geopolitical uncertainty

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs will deliver a speech at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations Luncheon on Canadian diplomacy amidst geopolitical uncertainty. Following her speech, the Minister will participate in a discussion with Frédéric Ménard, Director of the Political Science Department from the Université de Montréal.

38. Canada announces additional sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Myanmar’s military regime

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada, in coordination with the United Kingdom and the United States, is imposing sanctions against 39 individuals and 22 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations in response to the February 1, 2021, military coup d’état that saw Myanmar’s democratically elected government overthrown by a military regime.

39. Additional sanctions for Myanmar

    Effective October 31, 2023, Canada is imposing sanctions against the following individuals and entities in relation to the coup perpetrated by Myanmar’s armed forces on February 1, 2021.

40. Minister Ng advances cooperation with G7 partners at Trade Minister’s Meeting in Osaka, Japan

    Minister Ng reiterated Canada’s support for the trade and investment priorities of Japan’s current G7 presidency, including strengthening global economic security and resilience and fostering inclusive and sustainable global prosperity.

41. Minister Ng speaks with World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to advance priorities

    Minister Ng underscored Canada’s commitment to working closely with WTO members to find solutions on key priorities including e-commerce, agriculture and food security, fisheries subsidies, and dispute-settlement reform.

42. Minister Joly to make a speech on Canadian diplomacy amidst geopolitical uncertainty

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs will join the Economic Club of Canada to discuss the state of play on the world stage and how Canada is focusing its efforts to increase our resilience, build new coalitions, and lead in a fractured world.

43. Canada to match donations for humanitarian response in Gaza and West Bank

    Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that the Government of Canada will match donations made to the Humanitarian Coalition’s Gaza Humanitarian Emergency Appeal.

44. Statement on International Religious Freedom Day

    “Discrimination against religious and belief communities has no place in Canada, or in the world we want. As with all forms of discrimination, it causes suffering and division and leads to a climate of fear, intolerance and stigmatization. Today, on International Religious Freedom Day, we celebrate the freedom to manifest and practise our faith or belief, both as individuals and together with others, in peace and security. This cherished freedom, which protects believers and non-believers alike, is a fundamental universal human right that is intrinsically entwined with freedom of expression, assembly and association. As with those basic human rights, freedom of religion or belief plays a pivotal role in nurturing peaceful, prosperous, resilient and inclusive societies.

45. Minister Ng to attend G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka, Japan

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, will participate in the second G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting on October 28 and 29, 2023, in, Japan.

46. Canada allocates funding for partners responding to urgent needs stemming from the crisis in Gaza Strip, West Bank, Israel and neighbouring areas

    Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is allocating an initial $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs stemming from the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Israel and neighbouring areas. This funding supports United Nations and Red Cross appeals and will help Canada’s partners to provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services and other life-saving assistance. The funds are being allocated as follows:

47. Canada provides additional humanitarian assistance funding in response to Nagorno-Karabakh crisis

    Canada is deeply concerned by the refugee crisis in Armenia as more than a hundred thousand individuals have fled from Nagorno-Karabakh.

48. Minister Joly to discuss the situation in Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

    October 23, 2023 - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold a press conference to discuss the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

49. Announcement of a new diplomatic appointment

    M. Jess Dutton est nommé ambassadeur auprès de la République d’Indonésie. M. Dutton succède à Mme Nadia Burger.

50. Biographical notes

    Jess Dutton (BA Hons [Political Studies], Queen’s University, 1994; MPA, Queen’s University, 1995) joined Foreign Affairs Canada in 2005. At Headquarters, he has worked as the director of federal-provincial-territorial relations and deputy head of the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force. Abroad, he has served at the Embassy to the Republic of Korea and in 2 postings in Afghanistan: one as the director of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team and the other as deputy head of mission in Kabul. He has also served as the deputy high commissioner in India and as Canada’s ambassador to Egypt. Most recently, he was the director general of the Middle East Bureau.