Canada & The World

1. Minister Ng signs memorandum of understanding with Chile on intellectual property and innovation issues 

   On Thursday, May 6, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, and Rodrigo Yáñez, Chile’s Under-Secretary for International Economic Relations, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster collaboration on intellectual property (IP) and innovation issues.

2. Canada concerned about persistent violence in Colombia

   The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:“Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries in Colombia over the last week.

3. Canada concerned by escalation of tensions in Jerusalem

   The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada is following the situation in Jerusalem closely. We call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and for all sides to avoid any unilateral actions.

4. Minister Ng kicks off 50th-anniversary celebrations of Canada-Germany collaboration in science, technology, and innovation

   Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, joined Anja Karliczek, Germany’s Federal Minister of Education and Research, to celebrate 50 successful years of the Canada-Germany Science and Technology Agreement.

5. Minister Ng speaks with New Zealand counterpart

   Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, met virtually with Damien O’Connor, New Zealand’s Minister for Agriculture and Minister for and Export Growth, Biosecurity, Land Information and Rural Communities.

6. Canada’s increased contributions to the ACT-Accelerator

   A global outbreak requires a global response. Canada has made significant investments to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are affordable and equitably distributed globally.

7. Minister Ng speaks with Costa Rica’s minister of foreign trade 

   Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, and Andrés Valenciano, Minister of Foreign Trade, Costa Rica, met bilaterally for the first time, virtually, and discussed expanding Canada and Costa Rica’s already strong trading relationship.

8. Minister Ng speaks with Indonesia’s Minister of Trade

   Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Muhammad Lutfi, Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, to advance trade and investment relations between the 2 countries.

9. Canada to host next International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants

   The number of refugees and migrants leaving Venezuela is increasing daily, making it now the second-largest external displacement crisis in the world, with over 5.6 million individuals having fled the country since 2015. The current global COVID-19 pandemic has compounded an already difficult situation for Venezuelan refugees, migrants and their host communities. Canada is calling on the international community to mobilize much-needed additional resources to help respond to the urgent needs of millions of people.

10. Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of International Development conclude successful visit to G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting in the United Kingdom

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today concluded their participation in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting hosted by the United Kingdom.

11. UPDATED - Minister Garneau and Minister Gould to hold media availability following the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development will hold a media availability at the conclusion of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting. At the meeting, the Ministers engaged with partners on shared priorities, including a sustainable recovery from COVID-19, international peace and security, global health, democracy, and human rights.

12. Canada sending medical supplies to support COVID-19 response in India

    As the second and third waves of COVID-19 infections are having devastating impacts at home and in countries across the world, Canada continues to support the robust global effort to contain the virus and help meet the urgent medical needs of those most affected.

13. Minister Garneau and Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi expand Indo-Pacific cooperation

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Motegi Toshimitsu, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, in London, United Kingdom.

14. Shared Canada-Japan priorities contributing to a free and open Indo‑Pacific region

    The ministers shared the common recognition on deepening cooperation between Canada and Japan to advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the following mutual priority areas

15. Statement by Minister Ng on Asian Heritage Month 

    This is a time of year to highlight the diversity of cultures and people from communities of Asian descent across Canada, to learn about the long and rich history of Asian Canadians, who helped build this country, and to recognize the extraordinary contributions Asian Canadians have made and continue to make to Canada.

16. Minister Garneau to hold media availability following the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a media availability at the conclusion of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting. At the meeting, the Minister will engage with partners on shared priorities, including the fight against COVID-19, international peace and security, democracy, and human rights.

17. Public alerting tests  to be conducted in Canada on May 5

    On May 5, 2021, all provincial and territorial emergency management organizations will conduct public alerting tests in Canada, except for Ontario, Quebec, Nova-Scotia and Nunavut. As such, test alerts will be distributed on TV, radio and compatible mobile devices connected to a LTE (long-term evolution) or a newer wireless network (5G) in all provinces and territories.

18. Biographical note

    Isabelle Savard (LLB, University of Montréal, 1992) is from Chicoutimi, Quebec, and was a member of the Quebec Bar from 1993 to 2017. She joined the Government of Canada in 1999 and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2001. She was the director of communications and spokesperson for the minister of foreign affairs (2001 to 2004) and of national defence (2004 to 2005). During her time at Headquarters, she was senior adviser to the assistant deputy minister for bilateral relations (2005 to 2007), director of operations for the associate deputy minister of foreign affairs (2007 to 2008), chief of staff of the Afghanistan Task Force at the Privy Council Office (2008 to 2009) and deputy chief of protocol (2018 to 2019). Her positions overseas include political counsellor in Madrid (2009 to 2013) and Cairo (2014 to 2018). Most recently, she was chargée d'affaires at the Embassy to the Holy See.

19. Announcement of a new diplomatic appointment

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment: Isabelle Savard becomes Ambassador to the State of Libya, resident in Tunis, Tunisia. Ms. Savard replaces Hilary Childs-Adams.

20. Canada expresses condolences to Israel following Lag B’Omer tragedy

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: "On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the people of Israel and Jewish community in Canada after the tragedy at the Lag B’Omer festival, which resulted in countless injuries and over 40 deaths, including 2 Canadians.

21. Canada announces funding support in response to COVID-19 in India

    Le Canada travaille avec ses partenaires et des organisations internationales pour contrôler la propagation de la COVID-19 dans le monde entier. Cela est essentiel pour aider les personnes touchées par la pandémie et protéger leur santé et leur sécurité.

22. Budget 2021 will invest in women’s economic recovery

    Today, more than 16,000 women have dropped out of the labour force completely, while the number of men in the labour force has grown by 91,000.

23. Budget 2021 investments will create more affordable housing for Canadians  

    The government’s plan will invest $2.5 billion, and reallocate $1.3 billion, to speed up the construction, repair, or support of 35,000 affordable housing units across the country.

24. Minister Duclos to discuss measures for housing in federal Budget 2021 during an event with stakeholders in Québec City region

    The President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, will meet with community stakeholders to discuss investments in housing announced in Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

25. Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of International Development to participate in G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in London, United Kingdom

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the first in-person meeting of G7 Foreign and Development Ministers in two years in London, UK, from May 3 to May 5, 2021. The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, will join discussions virtually.

26. Minister Garneau highlights investments for small business in Budget 2021

    The Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met virtually with executives and employees of AV&R, a robotics firm in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, to discuss investments from Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

27. Minister Fortier to deliver a speech on Budget 2021 at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

    The Minister will deliver a speech on Budget 2021 and the Government’s recovery plan for jobs, growth and resilience.

28. Government of Canada highlights Budget 2021 investments to keep Canadians healthy  

    The Government of Canada’s top priority remains protecting Canadians’ health and safety, particularly during this third, aggressive wave of the virus and its variants.

29. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on the conclusion of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention

    Canada is pleased that the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention adopted the draft decision entitled “Addressing the Possession and Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic.” This decision underscores the international community’s commitment to hold Syria to account for its possession and use of chemical weapons. The victims of the Syrian regime’s war crimes deserve to see those responsible held accountable for their heinous actions.

30. Minister Garneau speaks with Indonesian counterpart

    Minister Garneau first offered his sincere condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in the recent floods and earthquake in Indonesia. He affirmed that Canada stands with the people of Indonesia in this trying time.

31. Statement of the Equal Rights Coalition on the serious Human Rights Violations and Abuses against LGBTI Individuals in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation

    In December 2018, OSCE Moscow Mechanism rapporteur’s independent report on the situation in Chechnya found ‘clear evidence of the successive purges against LGBTI persons’ in Chechnya as well as of numerous other grave Human Rights violations. The report documented that LGBTI persons in Chechnya had been subjected to systematic harassment, persecution, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings.

32. Canada concerned over the targeting of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong

    “Canada expresses grave concerns over the targeting of ten of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists for participation in a peaceful assembly.”

33. Media Freedom Coalition statement concerning media freedom in Myanmar

    The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern with the continued efforts by Myanmar’s military and police to crack down on media freedom.

34. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments

35. Biographical notes

    Joanne Lemay (LLB, University of Montréal, 1992; MA [International Relations], Budapest University of Economic Sciences, 1994) was called to the Quebec bar in 1993 and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997, undertaking various assignments in Canada and abroad.

36. The CBSA launches an investigation into small power transformers from Austria, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), and South Korea

    The CBSA launches an investigation into small power transformers from Austria, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), and South Korea

37. Statement on SolarWinds Cyber Compromise

    Today, Canada joins the United States and international partners in voicing our concerns related to a Russian cyber-espionage campaign that exploited the SolarWinds Orion platform.

38. SolarWinds Cyber Compromise

    In December 2020, media reported that a highly skilled cyber-actor conducted a supply chain compromise by creating a backdoor into a software update for the SolarWinds’ Orion platform. This software update was downloaded by at least 16,000 SolarWinds clients.

39. Minister Garneau speaks with Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, National Security, Legal Affairs and Information of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

40. Canada issues advisory on doing business with Myanmar-related entities

    The Government of Canada today issued an advisory for Canadian companies doing business with Myanmar-related entities.

41. G7 foreign ministers’ statement on Ukraine

    We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are deeply concerned by the large, ongoing buildup of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders and in illegally annexed Crimea.

42. Statement from Minister Garneau to announce the cancellation of export permits to Turkey

    Last fall, in line with our robust export control regime, the Government of Canada suspended export permits for military goods and technology to Turkey pending the results of an investigation into allegations that Canadian technology was being used by Azerbaijan in the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

43. Canada renews partnership with Grand Challenges Canada to spur innovations for global health

    World Health Day is commemorated to raise awareness of global health issues. This year, COVID-19 has highlighted the inequalities that persist for people accessing health services due to simple factors such as where they were born, their gender and their age.

44. Backgrounder - Canada’s partnership with Grand Challenges Canada to support sustainable innovations

    On World Health Day, April 7, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, announced that the Government of Canada is renewing its partnership with Grand Challenges Canada to support innovative solutions that improve global health.

45. Canada to press for continued coordinated COVID-19 support at the G7, G20 and Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank

    Canada to press for continued coordinated COVID-19 support at the G7, G20 and Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank

46. G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on the situation in Tigray, Ethiopia

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union are strongly concerned about recent reports on human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law in Tigray.

47. Minister Ng concludes successful virtual trade mission to France on exploring sustainable business opportunities

    As the Government of Canada continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic and work toward an inclusive and sustainable global economic recovery, it is helping Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs to start up, scale up, and access new markets.

48. Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks with Ukrainian counterpart

    Minister Garneau expressed Canada’s concerns regarding the recent destabilizing Russian actions, including the movement of troops near Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea. He also expressed condolences to Ukraine and the families of the 4 Ukrainian service members who were killed in the Donbas on March 26.

49. Minister Ng participates in first G7 trade and investment ministers’ meeting

    As the Government of Canada continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with international partners is essential to fighting the virus and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive global economic recovery from the pandemic.

50. Minister Ng speaks with Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy about vaccine exports

    Yesterday, as part of a broader ongoing engagement across government with the European Union and its member states, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Minister Peter Altmaier, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, about the importance of the continued shipment of vaccines from Europe to Canada.